The Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) launched the Ground Accident Prevention (GAP) programme in 2003 to develop information, measures and analytical tools in a bid to eliminate accidents and incidents that occur on airport aprons (ramps) and adjacent taxiways, and during the movement of aircraft into and out of hangars, and that directly affect airport operations and/or result in personnel injuries or damage to serviceable aircraft, facilities or ground-support equipment.

Some AAPA member airlines have been involved in the FSF GAP programme from the outset and have taken advantage of the safety initiatives recommended. The objective of the programme is to minimize the indirect costs associated with ground accidents, which would cause loss of revenue from ticket sales, flight cancellations, repositioning of replacement aircraft and other factors.

The AAPA, through its Flight Operations and Safety Working Group (FOSWG), works closely with the FSF to determine the best way to develop and share comprehensive ramp accidents data. The collation and analysis of these data can then provide the group a better understanding of the GAP programme and its recommendations to address the identified issues.