An Introduction to Unilode Aviation Solutions

Unilode manages the largest global fleet of approximately 140,000 Unit Load Devices (ULDs) providing outsourced ULD management solutions, which allow airlines to reduce their costs, increase operational benefits and focus on their core business of flying passengers and cargo.

Unilode supplies the right ULDs in an airworthy condition, in the right place and at the right time, every time.

Unilode customers pay an all-inclusive fee per month per ULD which also includes the maintenance and repair of containers and pallets with assured airworthiness to certified industry standards. Unilode’s smarter ULD solutions ensure greater flexibility for airlines by allowing scalable and flexible ULD stock adjustments to accommodate changes to their network and aircraft fleet.

Unilode can also secure fast transition to lighter containers, which reduce carbon emission by 30%, increase cargo capacity and revenue, and reduce maintenance and repair costs.

Unilode also operates the world’s largest repair network for containers, pallets and galley carts with 53 certified stations at key airports, 38 of which are owned by Unilode. Unilode’s maintenance and repair solutions ensure quality, fast turnaround times, remove the burden and unnecessary costs of shipping damaged equipment back to the airline’s hub and increase space for revenue-generating cargo.

ULD management

Running a fleet of containers and pallets is often mission-critical for airlines, with the risk of unforeseen costs never far away. Unilode’s ULD management and supply solutions allow airlines to reduce their costs, increase operational benefits and focus on their core business of flying passengers and cargo.  Unilode provides tailor-made outsourcing solutions to meet the specific needs of customers’ business and enhance their operations.

Unilode supplies the right ULDs in an airworthy condition, in the right place and at the right time, every time. Unilode works closely with airlines to deliver total cost of ownership (TCO) clarity through an initial cost audit and analysis and then provides the right solution for their network, either through Unilode’s container and pallet pool or a dedicated ULD fleet.

Unilode provides an initial capital injection for customers by acquiring their ULD fleet, and then removes future CAPEX requirement by purchasing containers and pallets for fleet growth and replacement.

Unilode customers pay an all-inclusive fee per month per ULD which also includes the maintenance and repair of containers and pallets with assured airworthiness to certified industry standards. Unilode’s smarter ULD solutions ensure greater flexibility for airlines by allowing scalable and flexible ULD stock adjustments to accommodate changes to their network and aircraft fleet.

Unilode can also secure fast transition to lighter containers as the company has converted its entire fleet of LD3 containers used by passenger airlines to lightweight units, which reduce carbon emission by 30%, increase cargo capacity and revenue, and reduce maintenance and repair costs.

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ULD and galley cart maintenance and repair (MRO) solutions

Unilode is the world’s leading ULD and galley cart maintenance and repair services provider, operating a network of 53 certified repair stations, 38 of which are owned by Unilode. Unilode’s MRO solutions remove the burden and unnecessary costs of shipping damaged equipment back to the airline’s hub and increase space for revenue-generating cargo. Unilode guarantees the quality and airworthiness of containers, pallets and inflight food service equipment, and ensures that customers gain accurate insight into the repair process.

Unilode’s regional management teams, skilled technicians, strong OEM relationships for technical and spare parts support, and CAA, CAAS, CASA, EASA and FAA Part 145 certifications ensure quality, fast turnaround times and value for money. Unilode’s unique repair management software ACTIS delivers total cost of ownership clarity including full visibility on parts usage and labour costs for its customers.

In addition to the core ULD and galley cart maintenance and repair solutions, Unilode also offers container assembly, ground support equipment (GSE) and pallet net repair services.

ULD Short Term Leasing

Unilode can help you overcome the challenges of unforeseen ULD shortages, whether on a short, medium or long-term basis. With leasing options available from as little as 7 days, our transparent and attractive solutions provide peace of mind and allow you to focus on your core business. We operate a network of ULD storage and return locations around the globe, enabling you to access ULDs when needed and where needed.

Unilode has several decades of extensive experience in ULD management, leasing and MRO services for airlines, and owns and operates the largest fleet of ULDs in the industry. Combined with our unparalleled global footprint of storage and repair service centres, we are the right partner for you when you need a ULD short term leasing solution.

We are in the process of expanding our global leasing storage footprint as well as the quantity and types of ULDs offered. Currently, we keep stock of the main pallet types PMCs, PAGs, PRAs, PGFs, AKEs and also offer tailored leasing solutions for special ULDs (e.g. VRAs) at numerous locations in Europe, the United States and Asia.

ULD Digitalisation

Since winning the inaugural IATA Air Cargo Innovation Award in 2015 with the ULD tracking solution CanTrack, Unilode has been working closely with its customers to enhance the digital ULD tracking technology with user input across the end-to-end value chain. Unilode's Digital Transformation programme has been recognised by the industry for the second time with the IATA Air Cargo Innovation Award in 2019.

Unilode's Digital Transformation programme enables its customers to increase cargo velocity through greater transparency, optimise supply chain management, improve the utilisation of equipment, enhance service delivery to their own customers and bring business analytics to the next level.

Digitalisation aims to solve common issues relating to ULDs and cargo, such as loss and theft in transit, delays caused by wrong positioning, exposure to wrong ambient conditions, damage through mishandling and revenue loss caused by unavailability of ULDs. Airlines with insourced ULD management can also benefit from Unilode's digital solution.

For the development of the digital technology we were looking for a solution able to meet five pre-defined criteria: non-obstructive tag design, compliant with regulations, mobile app / in-flight monitoring, multi-sensor capabilities, and non-proprietary / interoperable. Together with our partners we have designed a unique Bluetooth 5 tag which is seamlessly integrated into the corner of the pallet to reduce mishandling and stacking problems. A carve-out solution for pallets has also been developed in cooperation with our pallet manufacturer partners. The digital container tags can be mounted in any container type manufactured by any OEM, also retroactively.