The software provider DAKOSY and airport operator Fraport have established a joint venture, allivate GmbH, to digitalize air cargo processes.

Fraport and DAKOSY will both hold a 50% share in the new venture.

In a statement, Fraport — which operates Frankfurt Airport — said the basis of the joint venture is the establishment, operation, and further development of cargo community systems for air freight.

"The partners endeavour to further advance the digitalization of air cargo processes both at Frankfurt Airport and internationally," it said.

Martina Schikorr (Fraport) and Dirk Gladiator (DAKOSY) have been appointed as managing directors. 

"The main goal of the venture is to further expand the jointly-established FAIR@Link Cargo Community System. With the founding of allivate, Fraport demonstrates its strong commitment to the cargo business," the announcement added.

Schikorr noted that a functioning digital infrastructure is a "must-have" for every modern cargo hub.

"We want to offer our customers the best cargo community system possible so that their processes will run simply, smoothly, and quickly. More than 1,000 participating companies are thus given the commitment to have Fraport alongside DAKOSY as reliable partners for digital infrastructure and, with allivate, one central point of contact on-site," she said.

The announcement noted a wide range of benefits from the alliance.

It said that Fraport contributes comprehensive airport know-how and functions as a neutral link to the local cargo community and the authorities, while DAKOSY adds its IT expertise in all aspects of cargo handling and customs clearance, as well as many years of experience in the development, operation and technical support of the Cargo Community System - Made in Germany.

For Gladiator, the processes of air freight handling and digital infrastructure are inextricably linked.

"We are pooling our strengths and can, therefore, launch innovations and digital solutions onto the market faster. The active role of the cargo community in Frankfurt plays an important part, as together, we jointly develop all digital processes along the supply chain there," he added.

At the Frankfurt site, the partners are already taking digitalization to the next level with the Cargo Community System and its comprehensive database.

Gladiator and Schikorr have identified three specific areas in which processes can be further streamlined and optimized: customs requirements, the digitalization process for land pick-ups and deliveries, and e-commerce functionalities to be further automated.