Ground Support Equipment: The team on the ground that helps Delta take flight

When you look out the window at the airport, you will see an entire ecosystem working together to get you to your destination: Your bag being pulled in a cart to your aircraft, jet bridges connecting to your plane and many other carts, trucks, belts and ramps. What you will not see are the hours of hard work done in Delta’s Ground Support Equipment (GSE) shops to ensure these machines operate smoothly. 

The GSE team is responsible for maintaining Delta’s machinery on the ground at airports all over the world. Delta has over 400,000 individual pieces of equipment that, when working together, help run a smooth operation. This equipment needs to be serviced routinely to ensure it operates safely and reliably, which is where our behind-the-scenes team shines. 

“We celebrate GSE today – and every day – in recognition of their incredible contribution to our operation,” says Ramsey Hammad, Managing Director, ACS Strategy. “Our skilled team of mechanics and technicians work around the clock to keep our people safe, our systems moving and our customers satisfied. They’re the driving force behind everything we do.”

The GSE team includes 850+ team members across our system who serve as Ground Maintenance Mechanics (GMMs) or Ground Maintenance Technicians (GMTs). These are highly skilled roles that involve deep expertise in electrical, mechanical and hydraulic systems. Their skills play a vital role in keeping our Mishandled Bag Rate low and our flights departing on time. In addition to maintaining and repairing the machinery that keeps Delta’s operation running smoothly, GSE’s work is essential to ensuring safety on the tarmac and beyond.