The verdict in three sentences
For a ground handler or catering contractor at a busy hub such as Dubai, custom software costs 50,000 to 150,000 USD (about 30 to 90 million FCFA) depending on modules and integrations. A licence at 25 to 60 USD per user per month looks cheaper in year one but usually overtakes custom build by year three above 120 users. The real gain lies in per-service billing to airlines: every service missed on a turnaround (GPU, jet bridge, PRM assistance) is lost revenue.
What the software must cover on a hub airport
A handler runs dozens of turnarounds a day, with night peaks on long-haul banks. The software has to connect four flows that often still live in spreadsheets, messaging groups and paper service slips signed at the aircraft.
| Module | Key function | Indicative 2026 cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Per-flight crew rostering | Ramp, passenger and baggage staff assigned from the seasonal schedule and delays | 13,000 to 30,000 |
| Digital service slips | Tablet entry, signature by captain or airline rep | 8,000 to 20,000 |
| Airline billing | Rates per SGHA contract, aircraft type, night surcharge, accounting export | 12,000 to 33,000 |
| GSE tracking | Tugs, belt loaders, GPUs, bridges: engine hours, failures, availability | 8,000 to 25,000 |
| On-time dashboard | Turnaround times, IATA delay codes | 5,000 to 17,000 |
| Integrations (schedule, HR, payroll) | Flight schedule import, payroll and ERP export | 3,000 to 25,000 |
A credible first scope (rostering, digital slips, billing) sits around 50,000 to 75,000 USD (30 to 45 million FCFA). Projects at 115,000 to 150,000 USD include full GSE tracking, several stations and airline system interfaces.
Custom build or foreign licence: the five-year math
International ground handling suites are robust, but billed per seat, hard to adapt to locally negotiated rates and dense for ramp staff.
| Criterion | Off-the-shelf licence | Custom build by Kolonell |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | 8,000 to 25,000 USD (configuration) | 50,000 to 150,000 USD |
| Recurring cost | 25 to 60 USD per user per month | Maintenance 10 to 15 % per year |
| 150 users, 5 years (40 USD) | about 360,000 USD | about 125,000 to 185,000 USD |
| Local SGHA contract rates | Limited configuration | Custom rate engine |
| Language and ramp usability | Dense interfaces | Simplified tablet screens |
| Go-live time | 2 to 4 months | 5 to 8 months |
| Data ownership | Vendor hosting | Hosting of your choice, code delivered |
Math: 150 users x 40 USD x 12 months x 5 years = 360,000 USD (about 216 million FCFA). Custom build needs more patience at the start, but the gap widens once headcount passes a hundred agents.
Timeline and risks to frame before signing
| Phase | Duration | Watch point |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping and ramp workshops | 3 to 5 weeks | List every billable service per contract |
| Tablet prototype | 4 weeks | Real-condition tests, night and full sun |
| Core module development | 10 to 16 weeks | Rate engine signed off by finance |
| Pilot on 2 airlines | 4 to 6 weeks | Compare against paper billing |
| Full rollout | 3 to 6 weeks | Train duty managers and supervisors |
Offline mode is mandatory: apron coverage can be patchy, and slips must sync once back in coverage.
Mini case study
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Omar, operations director of a handler, processes about 1,100 flights a month. A three-month audit shows that 6 % of ancillary services go unbilled (extended GPU, PRM assistance, extra cleaning), at an average 75 USD per miss. Monthly loss: 1,100 x 6 % x 75 = 4,950 USD, about 59,400 USD a year. With an 80,000 USD system that brings the rate below 1 %, recovery reaches nearly 50,000 USD a year: payback in about 20 months, before counting the data entry hours saved in accounting.
FAQ
How much does ground handling software cost in 2026?
Plan 50,000 to 150,000 USD for a custom build (30 to 90 million FCFA). A first lot covering rostering, digital slips and billing starts around 50,000 to 75,000 USD.
How long until go-live?
Between 5 and 8 months, pilot included. A 4 to 6 week pilot on two airlines is recommended before switching all billing.
Can the software handle each SGHA contract's rates?
Yes, that is the core of the billing engine: rate by aircraft type, night surcharge, per-unit or flat-fee services. A typical handler configures 15 to 40 rate grids.
How do we track GSE in the same tool?
Each unit gets a record with engine hours, failures and planned maintenance. Rigorous tracking targets above 90 % availability on critical equipment such as GPUs and tugs.
Isn't a foreign licence simpler?
It deploys in 2 to 4 months, but at 25 to 60 USD per user per month. Above 120 users over five years, custom build is usually cheaper and fits local rates.
Let's scope your project. Send us your flight volume, headcount and airline contracts: we will price a first lot at 50,000 to 75,000 USD with a 5 to 8 month plan. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
