ULD's - Not Just About Efficiency

With the introduction of wide bodied aircraft into the commercial aviation world a need was quickly identified for a more efficient and safe way to load baggage and cargo into aircraft.  This gave rise to the birth of ULDs and from those basic containers first introduced over 50 years ago to the sophisticated containers we see today,  during which time much innovation has taken place.

ULDs are not just about efficiency, i.e. shipper built or forwarder built containers aiding quick aircraft loading, they are also about shipment integrity, with highly specialized temperature controlled ULDs being used to move high value and highly sensitive cargo around the world.

Unfortunately, ULDs often leave the airport to facilitate cargo delivery to the customer but the containers don’t always come back in a timely fashion so technology is being applied to track these assets.  Training is also important as we are often reminded that safety and security are our number one priority.  Improperly restrained, transported or loaded ULDs can cause operational and safety issues, so everyone needs to be vigilant and educated.

We have pleasure to bring you the perspectives of some industry ULD experts on the crucial activities related to their handling and usage.