In aviation ground operations, every minute on the tarmac matters. Delays, misplaced ground support equipment, or inefficient workflows can lead to missed turnarounds, increased costs, delayed deliveries or freight and unhappy passengers.
That’s why airports and airlines are turning to advanced asset tracking systems, powered by GPS, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Wi-Fi sniffing, to improve visibility, accountability, and performance across the ground support ecosystem.
Why Ground Support Equipment Needs Smart Tracking
Airports operate like finely tuned machines—with hundreds of pieces of ground support equipment (GSE) moving constantly across vast apron zones. From GPU units and aircraft stairs to baggage carts and tow tractors, each asset must be in the right place, at the right time.
The challenge?
- Assets frequently shift between gates, terminals, or hangars
- Delays arise when equipment can’t be located quickly
- Idle assets drain value and clog operational flow
- Lack of usage visibility leads to over-purchasing or underutilization
GPS and BLE-based tracking systems provide a real-time solution for GSE management, delivering data-driven control across your airport’s ground operations.
Track Ground Support Equipment in Real Time
With so many moving parts on the tarmac, locating vital equipment like GPU units, belt loaders, and catering trucks can be time-consuming and chaotic.
GPS tracking allows operations teams to:
- Instantly locate GSE across the entire airport apron
- Optimize routing to reduce delays and fuel usage
- Prevent loss or misplacement during busy shifts or shift changes
- Create historical logs for usage audits or maintenance planning
This is essential for maintaining tight aircraft turnaround schedules and avoiding unnecessary delays.
Locate Idle or Underused Assets Across Apron Zones
Idle GSE is lost revenue. Whether it’s a baggage cart left at a remote stand or an unused air stair parked near a closed gate, underutilized equipment can quickly become a bottleneck.
With real-time asset tracking, you can:
- Identify assets that have not moved for a set period
- Redeploy idle units to high-demand zones
- Balance equipment across terminals and concourses
- Improve ROI by avoiding unnecessary purchases or rentals
This results in leaner operations, lower costs, and improved asset lifecycle management.
Use BLE to Detect Proximity to Specific Aircraft Gates
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons offer high-precision micro-location capabilities—perfect for detecting whether equipment is staged correctly or moved to the right gate.
BLE-powered tracking enables you to:
- Confirm GSE is positioned at the correct aircraft stand
- Trigger alerts when equipment is too far from the designated gate
- Verify service order and gate turnaround sequencing
- Automate gate allocation tracking for operational reporting
This improves gate readiness, reduces human error, and ensures seamless ground crew coordination.
Monitor Service Times and Equipment Utilization
Are GPU units being overused? Are baggage carts sitting idle too long? Are catering trucks being turned around efficiently?
With asset tracking data, you can:
- Log equipment usage duration per flight
- Benchmark turnaround performance for each GSE type
- Schedule predictive maintenance based on actual service cycles
- Automate reporting for KPIs and compliance metrics
This transforms ground support from reactive to data-driven operations—improving uptime, safety, and performance.
Designed for the Demands of Aviation
The best asset tracking solutions for aviation are:
- Rugged and weatherproof to withstand the tarmac environment
- Battery-powered for autonomous tracking of non-powered assets
- Compatible with GPS, BLE, and airport Wi-Fi networks
- Mobile-ready for access by field crews and control center teams
Whether you’re managing or working within a regional airport or a major international hub, these systems scale to your needs and integrate seamlessly with existing GSE fleets and scheduling platforms.
Land Smoother Operations with Smart Asset Tracking
From delayed turnarounds to lost equipment and underutilized GSE, inefficiencies in ground operations can ground your performance. With smart GPS and BLE tracking, you gain total visibility and control—ensuring your ground crew is equipped, efficient, and always ready.
Upgrade your ground operations with real-time GSE tracking and take your airport logistics to new heights.