air cargo handling

‘Air cargo’ refers to the process of transporting goods by air and is often used interchangeably with the term ‘air freight’. Although some passenger airlines also carry commercial cargo, air freight planes are the popular mode of transport designed specially for shipping goods instead of passengers. Air cargo planes meet a wide range of logistical needs, given their capacity to carry everything from mail and small parcels to large, bulky goods.

Air freight provides lots of benefits to companies. The biggest is speed because goods can cross continents in hours. It’s also reliable.

Adverse weather conditions have less impact on air freight planes than on other forms of transport. Operators can adjust routes quickly if unforeseen circumstances arise.

Air freight plays not just an important role in the global economy, since it creates jobs, bolsters global trade and is part of gross domestic product (GDP), but it connects markets that would have been otherwise unreachable. Even more importantly perhaps, it provides a lifeline in emergencies by helping to get supplies swiftly and reliably to people in need.

Air cargo handling solutions refer to the systems, equipment, and processes used to manage the movement, storage, and transportation of goods within cargo facilities. In the air freight sector, this includes the transfer of Unit Load Devices (ULDs), pallets, and containers between aircraft, terminals, and cargo hub warehouses.

We specialise in automated air cargo handling equipment that supports faster and safer handling operations. Our modular approach means solutions can be tailored to fit the exact needs of your air cargo facility.

Depending on the cargo type and airport schedule, you may have to store the cargo at the airport warehouse. If there’s a delay between the arrival time and the scheduled departure time, you’ll have to store it in an airport warehouse. These are secure and designed to store a range of goods, from perishable items to oversized goods.

To optimise space on the aircraft, operators might consolidate your cargo with other goods, which could mean grouping your cargo together with other shipments. This increases efficiency and lowers costs.

Customs

Cargo needs clearance from customs, who will inspect it to confirm that the cargo complies with applicable laws and regulations. Checks on the accuracy of the information on the documents, checks for prohibited items and the payment of duty and taxes are all potential checks they’ll make.

When the cargo arrives at its destination, it will be unloaded from the aircraft. Careful cargo handling is necessary again to avoid any damage. This is made safer using air freight handling equipment. It then undergoes customs checks at the destination airport.

Once customs have cleared it, the cargo will go to a cargo facility, like an airport warehouse for storage, or will be loaded onto a vehicle for transportation to its destination.

‘Special cargo’ refers to goods that need special handling, packaging or conditions because of their nature. They may be oversized, sensitive to changes in temperature or fragile and call for extra care during shipping. This could include perishable goods, such as seafood, which requires temperature controlled refrigeration; live animals, such as pets or livestock; or oversized items, such as machinery, vehicles or construction equipment.

Special cargo often calls for special packaging. The documentation for the cargo is also quite complex. Loading and unloading the cargo is complicated and may require special equipment.

Of course, air cargo handling isn’t without its challenges.

Lack of Automation

Some of the technology and air cargo handling systems used in the air freight sector is dated, compared to other parts of the logistics sector. A lot of work is still performed manually because the loads of air freight shipments aren’t always uniform. They range from very large to very small, which makes automation much harder.

Frequent Manual Sorting

Without cargo services, manual sorting is labour-intensive and leads to delays and supply chain errors and failures. This triggers delays and congestion at cargo terminals, which is a major problem in an industry that relies on tight schedules and time sensitivity. Planes can’t wait for goods if there’s a delay in the supply chain earlier.

Sustainability is a big challenge in shipping cargo by air because of greenhouse gases and emissions from planes. In the air freight industry, sustainable fuel initiatives have emerged as forwarder handling operators look at ways to reduce their impact on the environment.

At Joloda Hydraroll, a specialist in loading solutions for logistics, we understand the challenges faced by airports and cargo handling teams when it comes to efficiently transferring air freight. That’s why we provide industry-leading cargo handling solutions designed to streamline air freight operations.

Our automated air cargo equipment systems are engineered to move palletised and containerised cargo quickly, safely, and with minimal manual intervention. Whether you’re operating in a major airport or a regional cargo hub, our solutions help cargo handlers, improve efficiency reduce turnaround times, improve safety, reduce manual handling, and optimise your logistics flow. Some of the air cargo handling solutions we provide include:

The Powered Rollerbed is an advanced material handling solution for streamlining the loading and unloading of unit load devices (ULDs), pallets and air cargo containers. Equipped with motorised rollers, the Powered Rollerbed eliminates the need for manual handling, which makes operations faster, safer and more efficient.

The Build Station (10 ft or 20 ft) is a versatile, heavy-duty system for efficient assembly and handling of pallets, unit load devices (ULDs) and other large cargo items. These stations provide a stable, ergonomic platform for operators to build, maintain or load items in a controlled, secure manner.

Slave Pallets (also known as Mobile Work Stations) are innovative material handling platforms that streamline the movement, storage and transport of unit load devices (ULDs) in air cargo and logistics operations. These heavy-duty pallets enable efficient handling of air cargo containers in warehouse and airport environments using forklifts, reducing the need for complex machinery while improving workflow efficiency.

Airport cargo handling involves the fast and secure transfer of freight between aircraft, ground vehicles, and storage facilities. Our equipment supports high-volume airport environments by automating the movement of ULDs, pallets, and containers across critical control points.

By installing Joloda Air Cargo Handling Equipment’s Truck Dock and Powered Rollerbed system, Schiphol Express has optimised its air cargo handling operations. This solution has streamlined workflows, improved efficiency, and reduced operational costs, reinforcing Schiphol Express’s position as a leader in air cargo logistics.

In this case study, we explore the details of this installation: introducing the client, outlining their challenges, presenting the proposed solution and system features, highlighting the benefits of implementation, and gathering feedback from Schiphol Express.

Around the world, we’re known as the number one; the global leader in loading and unloading solutions. This is not only because we are the largest but also the first too; we've been pioneering loading solutions since 1962.

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