Global Load Control is an integral prerequisite for ground operations, dealing with the loading of an aircraft in order to ensure safe take-off. It involves the planning and supervising of the proper distribution of load into aircraft holds and balancing trim according to each particular aircraft's performance requirements.

In order for an aircraft to safely and successfully take off, the aircraft's centre of gravity needs to remain within certified limits, especially after containers, baggage and passengers are loaded. The correct calculations of weight and balance is the operators' responsibility and they are obliged to prepare standardised documentation for each flight – called a loading instruction as well as a load sheet.

These are prepared remotely by load control agents who use the figures transmitted into the system by various role players (such as through voice communication or direct entries). They do a final check, co-ordinate any changes, and then release the load sheet and loading instruction to the cockpit and the ramp agents to carry out when loading numerous flights at various airports.

Preparing a loading instruction is a complicated calculation process which must take into account the operational flight plan, estimated zero fuel weight, actual baggage and cargo figures, container numbers, passengers and so on – all the while having to comply with international safety regulations. Not every airline operator has such expertise at their disposal and this demand resulted in the creation of Global Load Control, whose services are provided to the Deutsche Lufthansa AG group and other external airlines.

Global Load Control began operating from Cape Town, South Africa, in July 2004. Today it comprises three centres – Brno in the Czech Republic and Istanbul in Turkey, with Cape Town housing the head office. While Cape Town is the core centre with centralised functions such as customer care, productivity planning, quality control and administration being governed there, the three-centre network provides a comprehensive backup system.

Global Load Control has proven to be a pacesetter in load control services through its innovative tools, streamlined processes and flexible solutions. In April 2006 it was producing 20 000 load sheets per month and by October 2008 this number had grown to 50 000. Not only has the amount of load sheets swelled, but its customers have also increased to 40 airlines around the world. Global Load Control has also recently celebrated the successful migration of its 190th airport.

Such prestigious facts in this organisation's short history are testimony to Global Load Control's excellence and quality. This has been further recognised, as it is one of the first organisations worldwide whose processes are ISO 9001:2008- approved and certified. In addition, it has been nominated for the DEKRA Award, an international award which honours outstanding achievements in the realisation of management systems.