Advanced Apron Management
Enhance airport efficiency by mastering Apron Management Service (AMS) strategies and understand how advanced planning and operations can transform the apron into a center of operational excellence.
@ Aeroclass
Course description
As airports contend with increasing traffic, infrastructure limitations, and mounting sustainability and efficiency demands, the apron has become a focal point for operational transformation. This class offers an in-depth exploration of advanced Apron Management Service (AMS), examining the full spectrum of strategic and operational elements that define high-performing apron environments. Emphasis is placed on building resilient AMS frameworks that enhance safety, maximize capacity, and improve efficiency while remaining adaptable to the unique and evolving conditions of individual airports.
The class covers topics such as strategic AMS justification and design, advanced operational systems, capacity and staffing assessment methodologies, and the integration of safety and human factors. Participants engage with real-world case studies and interactive exercises to analyze governance models, business considerations, and future-facing solutions, including data-driven resource planning and the application of emerging technologies.
By attending this course, participants will gain the knowledge and tools needed to drive sustainable, high-impact improvements in apron operations.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this class, participants will be equipped to:
- Develop strategic business cases for implementing or significantly upgrading an AMS
- Design and implement advanced, effective safety management systems and operational procedures for complex apron environments
- Apply principles of dynamic capacity assessment and resource management to optimize apron throughput and staffing
- Lead and manage stakeholder collaboration and change management effectively during AMS projects
- Critically evaluate and integrate new technologies (AI, IoT, A-SMGCS, etc.) to enhance apron management
- Establish robust KPIs and an AAR-based framework for continuous improvement and performance auditing of AMS
- Develop key components of a comprehensive Apron Performance and Capacity Plan (APCAP)
Who should attend
- Airport operations and apron management professionals
- Ground operations managers and safety officers
- Airport planning and capacity management teams
- Civil aviation authority representatives overseeing apron operations
- Consultants and project managers involved in AMS implementation and optimization
Meet your instructor
Pablo Garcia Alonso
Pablo García Alonso is a seasoned Airport Operations and Apron Management Service (AMS) specialist with over two decades of frontline experience dedicated to optimizing the dynamic environment of Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport airport (MAD) a major international airport hub and one of the top 20 in the world. His journey has provided him with an unparalleled, ground-level understanding of the intricacies involved in transforming apron operations into powerhouses of efficiency, safety, and capacity.
Pablo was part of the foundational team that launched one of Europe's pioneering Apron Management Services at MAD in 2011, serving as one of its first 24 Apron Management Service Officers (AMSOs). His tenure within AMS saw him progress through roles of increasing responsibility, from AMSO to On-the-Job Training Instructor (OJTI) and Supervisor, and ultimately to Head of Management for the service under various leading Air Navigation Service Providers. This deep, multi-faceted experience encompasses not only direct operational control and supervision but also the design and delivery of specialized training programs, procedure development, and strategic service management.
Beyond his core AMS roles, Pablo's expertise is enriched by his diverse operational background, including experience as an AOCC & ATM Officer with AENA, a Turnaround Coordinator with Groundforce Handling, and in Cabin Maintenance Planning with Iberworld Airlines. This unique blend of experiences provides him with a holistic view of airside and airport operations. He has also contributed his knowledge academically as a Branch Director & Program Manager for Itaerea Aeronautical Business School, lecturing on Apron Management Service, Airport Business, and other related courses.
A passionate advocate for data-driven decision-making and operational excellence, Pablo is currently developing an innovative methodological framework for dynamic apron capacity assessment and resource management, aimed at providing airports with objective tools for strategic decision-making. He has actively contributed to industry best practices, including involvement in the writing of the upcoming "Industry Best Practices for Apron Management Service Guide" (to be published in 2025).
With the recent launch of his consultancy, Aipron, Pablo is now dedicated to leveraging his extensive hands-on experience and evolving methodologies to empower airports and aviation stakeholders worldwide, helping them unlock significant operational, financial, and environmental benefits through strategic AMS implementation and optimization.
Why you should attend?
With apron operations under growing pressure from traffic increases and operational complexity, effective management is essential for ensuring safety, efficiency, and scalability. This course empowers participants to lead transformational apron initiatives, leveraging strategic planning, stakeholder collaboration, and advanced technology to deliver measurable operational improvements and long-term value for their airports.
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