The Evolution of the Ground Handling Service Provider’s Liability for Paying Immigration Fines in International Air Transport

Abstract

This article elaborates on the liability of ground handling services providers for paying immigration fines and the evolution of liability in international air law. The ground handling service provider and the carrier usually conclude a Standard Ground Handling Agreement, according to which the ground handling services check the validity of passenger documents and, depending on the signed contract, assume liability for paying immigration fines to the carrier. It is a strategic decision by carriers and ground handling providers for which version of the Standard Ground Handling Agreement to opt. It is noticeable that with each new version of the Standard Ground Handling Agreement, the liability of ground handling service providers for damage is increased. The payment of an immigration fine represents a reduction in the property and liability of the ground handling service provider. The legal nature of the carrier’s liability for the immigration fines is not the compensation of damages but the payment of legal penalties, which are determined by the country’s national law when the passenger does not meet the conditions for entering the country. Standard Ground Handling Agreement, liability, immigration fines, ground handling service provider