Ground Operations Notice

Title Operation of Reefer Trucks Airside at Dubai

Supersedes / Cancels N/A Number GON 2020 – 104
Dubai (DXB / DWC) Effective 29th December 2020
Stations Affected All Outstations  Expiry Until Further Notice
Specific Stations 
Fleet Affected Passenger Fleet  Freighter Fleet  A319CJ 
Loading
Load Control  Supervision  Ground Dispatch 
Turnaround
Hub Operation  CLC Coordination  Supervision 
Operation Affected Aircraft Servicing
Baggage Operation  (Water, Fuel, Deice)  Cargo 
Others 
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General
Emirates will commence operation of reefer trucks airside at Dubai (DXB) to support the transportation of
temperature sensitive cargo between facilities at Dubai-Al Maktoum Airport (DWC) and aircrafts at Dubai (DXB).

The reefer trucks will operate directly to the aircraft and dock against the Lower Deck Loader in order to
load/unload ULDs. Due to space limitation around the aircraft stand, and the close proximity between the truck
and the aircraft, the safe operation of the reefer trucks will require meticulous guidance and cooperative
communication between guide person and truck drivers.

This Ground Operations Notice depict the changes in loading, unloading and relevant communication processes
supporting the truck operation airside at Dubai (DXB).

Stand Planning (DXB)

SkyCargo will generate a pre-alert to the following stakeholder at STD -36 hours for any inbound or outbound
movements which require the operation of the reefer trucks at DXB:
 Freighter Planner for Freighter operation.
 Hub P&D Officer for Passenger and Passenger Freighter (Cargo Only flights) operation.

SkyCargo NCC will coordinate and facilitate with Dubai Airports and EKAS on stand allocation.

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 Flights containing inbound or outbound movements which require the operation of the reefer trucks at DXB will
primarily be assigned the following stands:
Freighters
 Stand C24-C27
 Stand C30, C47

Passenger Freighters
(Cargo Only flights)
 Stand C28, C40

Operation of Truck on Aircraft Parking Stand

 Truck shall NOT approach the aircraft without marshalling from a guide person.
 Truck driver shall identify the guide person providing marshalling to his/her truck.
 The guide person must be available and visible to the truck driver prior to the truck approaching the
aircraft.
 Guide person are responsible for:
o Guiding the direction of the truck when approaching the aircraft and manoeuvring between GSEs.
o Monitor the relative distance between the truck and any lower parts of the aircraft (engine, flap
fairings etc.)
 For clear communication between guide person and truck driver, guide person shall maintain visual
contact with the truck driver at all times.
 The guide person must maintain a position of 3 to 5 metres behind the vehicle and on to the side of the
vehicle where he/she is visible to the truck driver via the mirror.
 If repositioning is required or visual contact is lost, all movement shall STOP IMMEDIATELY until visual
contact is re-established.

 While marshalling, the guide person shall avoid walking backwards and never ride inside the vehicle.

Hand Signals For Marshalling

It is imperative for drivers and guide to understand and use uniform hand signal to avoid confusion between
driver and guide person.

In an emergency situation, driver may also receive marshalling from other GHA personnel.

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 Below are some important hand signals for ground movement.
To attract operator’s attention and take command. Move towards the guide person
Driver will take order only from him.

Arms a little aside and repeatedly moving upwards

Arms held above head in vertical position with palms and backwards, beckoning onwards.
facing forward.
Move directly away from the guide person. Indicate distance. Distance shown between hands
shall correspond exactly with the actual margin.

Arms by side, palms facing forward, swept forward

and upwards repeatedly.

Raise arms above head, palms facing inward.

Stop. Hands crossed with clenched fists for immediate All is clear or continue on your own way.
stop

Lift right arm above head, hand closed and thumb

raised.

Arms raised and cross over head

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 For turning left and right, driver must follow the direction the guide person points. The direction will depends if the
truck going forward or backward.

Left arms pointed downward, hand extended; right arms repeatedly move upward towards the guide person’s.

If the truck is moving forward, this means turn right (from the driver’s point of view)
1) If the truck is moving forward, this means turn right (from the driver’s point of view)
2) If the truck is moving backward / reverse, this means turn left. Driver and guide person must remember
that the vehicle should move in the direction pointed by either left or right hand.

Approaching Aircraft
At Stand C30 and C47
 Truck only approach Main Deck Loader
 Tractor and cool dolly must be used to load and offload shipments from Lower Deck.

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 At Stand C28 and C40
 Trucks can be used on starboard side.

At Stand C24 to C27

 Trucks can be used on both port and starboard sides.

Ramp Operational Safety

 Truck driver and guide person must ensure PPEs are worn:
o Safety Vest
o Safety Shoes
o Ear Plugs (only for guide person)

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  Guide person must use beacon light to marshal ramp traffic at CTO’s Gate 1 and at the aircraft stands for
trucks manoeuvre marshalling.
 Drive within the speed limit specified by Dubai Airport.
 Truck approaching aircraft shall not be driven faster than 5 km/h.
 Where applicable, comply with the instructions given by road signs.
 Do not operate / drive while using hand held portable electronic devices unless a suitable ‘hands-free
devices’ capability exist and is utilized or operationally required.
 Ensure the safety areas identified by safety cones are not violated.
 Ensure reefer truck meet the operating standards / mechanical condition specified by the manufacturer.
Should any deviation be identified, such equipment shall be clearly identified and removed from operation.
 When positioning equipment, special care must be exercised to ensure adequate clearance of vehicles,
aircraft, other equipment and facilities.
 Ensure parking brakes is applied, with gear selector in park or neutral as applicable when truck is parked
away from / or positioned at the positioned.
 Ensure a guide person is available / visible to the driver to assist positioning equipment safely and trained
to communicate using hand signals. Equipment movement must not commence / must be halted if the
driver does not have or losses visual contact with the guide person.
 Truck must make a full stop as a brake check before entering ERA (Equipment Restraint Area) and before
reaching the aircraft side.
 Truck that have the engine running must not be left attended in the stand area. If driver requires to get
down, hand break must be applied and wheel chocks are installed on both front and back of the tyre.
 Always drive around the aircraft, never underneath any part of it except to position the equipment.
 ULD must be securely locked inside the truck when the truck is moving / approaching the aircraft.
 Wheel chocks must be placed at the front and back of wheel when the trucks park near the aircraft.

Blind Spots
Driver and guide person must be aware of the blind spots.
 Areas outside the range of the mirrors.
 Areas directly behind the vehicle.

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  While reversing, the truck driver can lose visibility of the direction of the back of the trailer.

e-Acknowledgement
For Emirates Group employees, please click here to submit your e-acknowledgement for this Ground Operations
Notice.

For Ground Service Provider personnel, please click here to submit your e-acknowledgement for this Ground
Operations Notice.

Ground Operations
EKAS Operations Services

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