Aviramp Versus Low-Cost Alternatives

The True Cost of Passenger Boarding Ramp Performance

Passenger boarding ramps are directly responsible for the safety of every embarking and disembarking passenger, and for the protection of aircraft worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Evaluating this category on headline price alone understates the true cost of poor performance — in incident liability, regulatory exposure, labor costs, and long-term maintenance. Aviramp systems deliver measurably lower whole-life costs alongside a significantly higher safety standard.

Ready to discuss your requirements?

Our team is happy to provide full quotes, details on optional features, and any further information required.

To get in touch call us at (UK) +44 (0) 1952 291220 (US) +1 (678) 737-6181 or complete the form below.

Aviramp vs. Low-Cost Alternatives

Aviramp

Higher initial investment — lower total cost

  • Gentle 7.5° – 8° slopes — step-free, ADA-aligned boarding
  • Single-operator deployment — labor cost controlled
  • AHM913-aligned design — compliance-resilient position
  • Step-free with warranted surface — materially reduced incident risk
  • Advanced aircraft protection — GSE damage risk mitigated
  • Engineered as permanent aviation infrastructure
  • Designed to replace high-lifts and steps — capital costs reduced

Lower-Cost Alternative

Lower purchase price - higher real-world risk

  • Steep gradients — unsafe for wheelchair passengers
  • Multiple operators required — ongoing labor overhead
  • No AHM913 pathway — future replacement exposure
  • Trip hazards present — passenger injury liability
  • No aircraft protection — materially higher GSE strike risk
  • Basic construction — higher long-term maintenance costs
  • Separate high-lifts/steps still required — added cost
Solar Electric Optional Extra for Aviramp Passenger Boarding Ramp

The regulatory direction of travel

IATA’s AHM913 standard establishes best-practice requirements for passenger boarding ramps. As AHM913 becomes increasingly referenced within procurement specifications and operational best practice, equipment that cannot meet these requirements risks an unplanned and costly replacement cycle.

Aviramp is the only manufacturer in the world currently able to design and supply ramps to AHM913 compliance — providing operators with a technically differentiated and forward-resilient procurement position that no competitor can currently match.

What a low-cost boarding ramp actually costs you

Accessibility risk exposure

Steeper-gradient boarding systems may increase accessibility risk and create greater exposure under ADA and related accessibility expectations for boarding and deplaning operations.

Personal injury liability

Trip hazards and poor surface traction are leading causes of boarding incidents. Each preventable fall can represent litigation costs that dwarf any saving on equipment purchase price.

Labor & operational costs

Multi-operator ramps add recurring labor expense on every turn. Across hundreds of daily operations, that cost compounds substantially and is never visible in a purchase price comparison

Aircraft damage exposure

Ramps without aircraft protection systems materially increase GSE contact risk. A single airframe strike can cost $50K–$500K+ in repairs and delays — far exceeding any equipment saving.

Key value indicators

Labor savings

1 vs 2+

Single-operator deployment reduces per-turn labor costs vs. multi-crew ramps. Savings compound significantly across high-frequency operations.

Warranty coverage

10 years

Full structural warranty including slip-resistant surface – locking in maintenance cost predictability across the full asset lifecycle.

GSE consolidation

1 unit

Designed to replace separate high-lifts and aircraft steps – removing their capital, maintenance, insurance, and storage costs from the equation.

Fleet coverage

All types

Five dedicated models covering all commercial aircraft types. One vendor, one warranty framework, minimal maintenance required.

Operational & financial benefits

ADA & accessibility alignment

Gentle gradients and step-free design support ADA-aligned boarding for all mobility levels — materially reducing accessibility risk and associated legal exposure.

Labor cost reduction

Single-operator deployment reduces per-turn labor vs. multi-crew ramps, based on operational deployments. Savings compound across every daily operation over the asset lifecycle.

Capital consolidation

Designed to replace separate high-lifts and steps — removing their purchase, maintenance, insurance, and storage costs from the procurement and operational budget.

Incident liability mitigation

Warranted slip-resistant surfaces and step-free boarding mitigate the conditions associated with passenger injury claims — reducing legal cost exposure based on operational experience.

10-year cost predictability

Full 10-year structural and walkway warranty reduces maintenance costs significantly – a substantial advantage in multi-year capital planning and budget approval cycles.

Forward procurement resilience

As AHM913 becomes more widely referenced in procurement specifications, operators specifying Aviramp’s AHM models today are better positioned to avoid a costly mid-cycle replacement program later on.

Faster equipment positioning

Our unique design and hydraulic drive enable rapid positioning at the aircraft, allowing doors to be opened sooner and disembarkation to begin earlier.

Reduced ambulift reliance

Over 90% of short-haul flights carry fewer than four PRMs, yet ambulifts are frequently deployed for just one or two passengers, creating delays and high costs. Aviramp reduces ambulift reliance, improving efficiency, savings, and aircraft turnaround times.

Improved accessibility

Aviramp improves accessibility for all wheelchair passenger categories. WCHC passengers can reduce reliance on loading equipment, while WCHR and WCHS passengers benefit from a safe, comfortable ramped boarding experience with less assistance, shorter times, and improved independence.

Improved passenger flow

Passenger flow on aircraft steps is often disrupted by visible bottlenecks caused by individuals struggling to board or disembark. This is a common issue on busy leisure flights that typically carry large numbers of families and elderly passengers.

Our boarding ramps significantly reduce these bottlenecks by providing a more stable and comfortable boarding experience. Aviramp’s gently sloped ramps, all-weather anti-slip surface, and supportive handrails enable elderly passengers to board more safely and allow families, particularly those with young children, to move together on foot without the need to lift or carry children.

Save time with pre-boarding

Our boarding ramps typically deliver time savings of up to 90 seconds, depending on airport infrastructure, by enabling passengers to pre-board while still maintaining aircraft access for crew and ground staff. Depending on the ramp model, up to 40 passengers can be accommodated comfortably on the ramp, allowing boarding to begin immediately once the cabin is ready.

Faster disembarkation

Disembarkation using Aviramp is up to 30% faster than using aircraft steps, significantly improving overall passenger flow. Elderly passengers and families with young children are able to disembark more safely, while all passengers can exit the aircraft more easily with their luggage. This reduced physical strain helps lower the risk of falls and minimizes incidents of dropped luggage.

aviramp-disembarkation

Key performance specifications

7.5° - 8°

Gradient – suitable for wheelchairs, luggage & catering

10yr

Structural warranty incl. slip-resistant surface

1 person

Full single-operator deployment — no further crew needed

5 models

Dedicated configurations covering all aircraft types

The Aviramp difference

Passenger safety

Step-free boarding, gentle gradients & slip-resistant flooring (10 yr structural warranty) reduce incident risk across every passenger movement.

Full accessibility

Engineered for all passengers: wheelchair users, PRM passengers, and children. Reduces lifting risks for wheeled luggage and catering equipment.

Solar-powered option

Fully solar-powered variants available across all five models, supporting sustainability targets without operational compromise.

Turnaround efficiency

Single-operator deployment and consolidated functionality eliminate the need to coordinate multiple pieces of GSE.

Aircraft & passenger protection

Advanced aircraft & passenger protection technology is available across all Aviramp models via a range of tailored optional enhancements.

Infrastructure-grade build

Engineered for the operational demands of commercial aviation — not adapted consumer or industrial equipment.

aviramp-easyjet-gibraltar

The true cost of choosing a low-price boarding ramp

A low-cost ramp saves money on day one. But when labor differentials, incident liability exposure, accessibility risk, aircraft damage potential, and eliminated GSE costs are considered across the full life of the asset, the lower-priced option frequently represents a higher total expenditure.

Aviramp’s pricing reflects infrastructure-grade engineering, decade-long warranty protection, and the mitigation of multiple parallel cost and risk lines. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your specific operational requirements in detail.

Ready to discuss your requirements?

Our team is happy to provide full quotes, details on optional features, and any further information required.

To get in touch call us at (UK) +44 (0) 1952 291220 (US) +1 (678) 737-6181 or complete the form below.

Our passenger boarding ramps

International
Passenger Boarding Ramp

The International is designed for wide-body aircraft operations, serving everything from the A320 up to the A380 lower deck.

Continental
Passenger Boarding Ramp

The Continental is a fully motorized mobile boarding ramp suitable for a range of aircraft from the A320 family down to the EMB170.

Regional
Passenger Boarding Ramp

The Regional mobile ramp is tailored for regional and small to medium aircraft, suitable for a range of aircraft from the B737 down to Embraer & CRJ fleets.

Domestic
Passenger Boarding Ramp

The Domestic model is designed to optimize ground handling operations for a range of small aircraft, including CRJ fleets, EMB145, ATR 72/42 & Q400.

Lite
Passenger Boarding Ramp

The Lite is suitable for ultra-narrow-body aircraft and turboprops, including the EMB145, SAAB 340, ATR72/42 & Q400.

ChairLifter
EMA Loader

The ChairLifter transforms the way airports and ground handling teams manage electric mobility aids. It eliminates manual lifting, reduces turnaround delays, and protects valuable equipment.

What our customers say...

Aviramp is trusted by

Aviramp works in partnership with Auckland Airport
Aviramp works in partnership with Swissport
Aviramp works in partnership with Aeroports de Montreal
Aviramp works in partnership with Avinor
Aviramp works in partnership with Birmingham Airport
Aviramp works in partnership with DFW Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Aviramp works in partnership with SYD Sydney Airport
Aviramp works in partnership with YVR Airport
Aviramp works in partnership with Menzies Aviation
Aviramp works in partnership with JFK International Airport
Aviramp works in partnership with Port of Seattle
Aviramp works in partnership with Etihad
Aviramp works in partnership with ONT Airport
Aviramp works in partnership with Miama International Airport
Aviramp works in partnership with GCA Gold Coast Airport
Aviramp works in partnership with Kerry Airport Ireland
Aviramp works in partnership with Changi Airport Singapore
Aviramp works in partnership with Aeroports de Lyon
Aviramp works in partnership with Avalon Airport
Aviramp works in partnership with Cebu Pacific
Aviramp works in partnership with Air New Zealand
Aviramp works in partnership with American Airlines
Aviramp works in partnership with Japan Airlines
Aviramp works in partnership with Oman Air
Aviramp works in partnership with Aeroport Sud de France Perpignan
Aviramp works in partnership with Seattle-Tocoma International Airport
Aviramp works in partnership with Frontier airlines
Aviramp works in partnership with Jetstar
Aviramp works in partnership with Toronto Pearson Airport
Aviramp works in partnership with Paris Aeroport
Aviramp works in partnership with United Airlines
Aviramp works in partnership with Delta
Aviramp works in partnership with Latam
Aviramp works in partnership with Loganair