Overstocks of ULDs? A problem that many airlines face in corona-crisis times with commercial aviation running out of business. In a prompt reaction to the dire situation, the online exchange platform Skypooling has approached carriers, asking them to report their current overstocks of containers or pallets since, in addition to a surplus of equipment, there is currently an astonishingly high demand.
This news comes as a surprise because it contrasts the general downward trend in aviation: There is fast rising need for ULDs, reports Skypooling. An extremely lively exchange market for loading
equipment has developed in recent weeks, with a large supply and high demand, states a press release aired today (28APR20).
According to Skypooling, the quantities of offered and demanded unit load devices value rose by almost 40% compared to the beginning of the year, reaching new peaks. The swap meet organizer
speaks of “around 50 airlines” that are currently offering or searching for large quantities of ULDs. The number of devices required is in the thousands.
Smart move
"We are currently registering overstocks of ULDs in many places, but about every third entry on our platform is a search query,” states Christine Klemmer, General Manager of Skypooling.
Having said this, she asks carriers to report any overstocks, this way facilitating a simple exchange of information and ultimately loading equipment via the sharing platform of her firm. It is a
convenient and rather simple mode to bring different players together that otherwise would not have found each other, by creating a digitalized global swap meet. Market experts speak of a
“smart move” enabling airlines to help each other balance ULD inventories to ensure benefits and savings for all parties involved.
Skypooling, a brand of ULD manager Jettainer, is a one-stop marketplace that helps participating airlines in managing their containers and pallets more efficiently. Users of the “dating
platform” (sic!) provide information about ULD understocks or overstocks. By transporting less empty ULDs, airlines generate additional freight revenue, cost and fuel savings and lower their
greenhouse gas footprint.
“The more airlines take advantage of the service, the better the devices can be used for urgently needed freight. At the same time, storage costs for overstocks can also be reduced in some
cases," reasons Ms. Klemmer.
Finding suitable matches is the name of the game
As an additional service, Skypooling is now offering all users emergency inquiries to speed up the search for ULDs fitting their specific needs. So far, this tool was only accessible for premium
customers. Leasing companies also have the option to offer their ULDs on the platform, so that interested users can contact the providers directly in an emergency, should they fail to find
suitable matches by any other means.
Furthermore, since the beginning of April, a new Lost & Found function is available on the platform. This allows users, including ground handling agents, to post lost or found ULDs in order
to return the loading equipment to its owners as quickly as possible. Since its introduction, several lost ULDs have been found and were successfully returned to their proprietors.
Heiner Siegmund
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Rayhan ahmed (Monday, 04 May 2020 01:07)
Airbus are offering temporary
Freighter conversion in the cabins on
A350 A330 and about 20 airlines are
Already put forward there interests and
Now Airbus is also looking at the A380
Passenger to freighter temporary conversion in the cabin ... all 3 aircraft
Types will have there passenger seats
Removed and pallets with be installed to Floor of the aircraft and cargo built
On top and netted and locked into
The seat hooks ..., now you can’t get
A ULD into the cabin so this object
Is out of the window .
The ULDs in operation in the pooling
System must be for cargo only and
Not for passenger baggage handling were ULDs are taken to the make up
Area and spur and then transfered to
Ramp to load on aircraft or via virsa
Were ULDs are offloaded from aircraft
And driven to the bagggage offload
Belt and once empty ULD are put
On the stack or on the parking areas
For equipment for that specific
Ground handler .
There must be plenty of pallets and ULD
Pooled .. but these ULDs must be airworthy free from damage including
Pallets of different types and nets must
Also be airworthy.
Before the covid 19 we were praying
To fill nil fits in the cargo hold of there
Aircraft so will not have too load 200
Baggage in the bulk hold 5 like on
Pakistani international airlines PIA
B777s who confirm have no ULDs
Station .
This pooling of ULD and pallets is a
Good idea that cargo can be moved
Quickly and fast and efficiently providing the equipment is in
Good health.