AirBridgeCargo Airlines and Unilode Aviation Solutions have deepened their long-standing unit load device (ULD) management partnership with the rollout of the world’s first digitized main deck containers, which are co-branded dedicated AMA/AMD fire-resistant containers (FRC) equipped with a transmitting portable electronic device (TPED). 

The containers, which are manufactured by Nordisk Aviation Products, have been designed with the usage of the latest technology in fire barriers for aviation and are equipped with TPEDs based on Unilode’s award-winning Bluetooth low energy (BLE 5.0) technology. The containers enable to track the location of the ULD and the cargo being carried in the container, and transmit status updates on various parameters such as temperature, humidity, shock and light. The first half of the new digitized AMA/AMD fire-resistant container fleet will be delivered by Unilode by the end of June and the rest in September to give AirBridgeCargo Airlines time to test and introduce them gradually into its operations. 

“The deployment of co-branded digitized containers not only broadens our cooperation with Unilode Aviation Solutions but also introduces one of the most revolutionary phases of cargo digitalization. We are delighted to be on this path with our valued and trusted partner which is the expert in ULD management and has adopted a forward-thinking approach towards the introduction of IoT into the air cargo industry. TPED is the kind of technology that tightly aligns with our customers’ expectations, especially when it comes to transportation of special cargoes – pharmaceutical products, perishable goods, valuables and others,” said Sergey Lazarev, general director of AirBridgeCargo Airlines.

“At the end of 2018 AirBridgeCargo Airlines and Unilode announced their collaboration for the extensive usage of TPEDs for pallets and containers. The introduction of the digitized AMA/AMD fire-resistant main deck containers is another stage of both companies’ joint efforts to bring enhanced IoT solutions into the air cargo industry with the purpose to simplify the data-sharing process and make it more transparent and reliable for all stakeholders in the aviation value chain. The rollout of Unilode’s reader infrastructure in our repair network and our customers’ key hubs is progressing according to our plans and all the benefits of Unilode’s digital transformation project will soon be enjoyed by both Unilode and its customers,” said Benoît Dumont, CEO of Unilode Aviation Solutions.