ULD management firm Jettainer is continuing its Asia Pacific expansion as it announced plans to further expand its presence in the region by 2023 with Singapore and Hong Kong as the main gateways.

"Jettainer's goal is to establish its own regional teams in Asia, strengthen the relationship with customers through intercultural competencies and respond even better to individual needs," Jettainer revealed during the IATA World Cargo Symposium 2022 in London.

It added that the market changes of the last two and a half years have pushed previously functioning processes in the global aviation industry to their limits and airlines were also forced to face challenges due to a lack of Unit Load Devices (ULDs).

Growth potential in the Asia Pacific

Jettainer noted that the importance of security of supply and reliability became even more apparent, and cost awareness and sustainability continue to be major considerations.

"All these factors play a particularly important role in the Asia-Pacific markets, where airlines are on a growth track. Existing airlines are expanding their business and including widebody fleets or starting with cargo operations, and new airlines are being founded," the ULD management company said.

"Furthermore, as ULD operations have traditionally been managed in-house, the region holds great growth potential for Jettainer providing a variety of ULD management solutions responding precisely to the markets' needs."

To drive this development, Jettainer plans to strengthen its regional presence and further develop Singapore and Hong Kong as main gateways.

"We currently manage a fleet of more than 100,000 ULDs. In perspective, the amount could double – especially due to growth in the Asia-Pacific region," said Thomas Sonntag, managing director of Jettainer, adding that airlines have recognized the value of ULDs and the need to manage them efficiently.

"We manage ULD fleets with only 80% of the units previously required. This potential ULD saving of 20% can either be used for growth, to offset shortages – or contributes to simply save cost," Sonntag added.

Singapore, Hong Kong as major gateways

Currently, Jettainer already manages pallets and containers for Korean airline T'Way, VietJet and Cebu Pacific in the Philippines – with several more airlines in the pipeline.

Jettainer noted that current sales activities in the region are coordinated from Singapore and its leasing solution lease&fly is developed out of Hong Kong, focusing on mainland China.

"Being close to our customers is enormously important to us. Our customers benefit from what I would call 'regionally relevant ULD expertise': understanding networks, geography and culture and transferring this into perfected ULD management. It brings us into the position to really understand our customers' requirements," Sonntag said.

"For this reason, our goal is to establish regional teams for sales and operations, but also central functions, on all continents, as well as local representatives were necessary and useful."