DELTA and Cathay Pacific are making significant inroads into the utilisation of Bluetooth for the end-to-end tracking of unit load devices (ULD), with Delta saying that it will extend real-time tracking beyond the airport into customer facilities to deliver visibility across the entire freight journey, starting from next January.
The technology not only helps track cargo but also eliminates all paperwork at the dock door when the ULDs are loaned out. A digital uniform control receipt will be emailed directly to the shipper and customers will receive customised push notifications, with full tracking available, London's Loadstar reported.
Cathay Pacific is also close to delivering end-to-end visibility of its cargo shipments after successfully conducting trials of Bluetooth tracking with ULD partner Unilode.
Delta has partnered with CORE Technologies and ACL Airshop, which offers ULD repairs and leasing at 40 top cargo hubs.
ACL Airshop CEO Steve Townes said: 'This latest technology upgrade from CORE can yield new competitive advantages and logistics efficiencies for airlines.'
Delta has deployed Bluetooth tracking technology since March at 80 airline warehouse locations and has 70 more to go. Some 40 per cent of its ULD fleet is tagged with Bluetooth asset trackers and Delta said the information would help it 'monitor and reroute shipments that are delayed due to irregular operations, like inclement weather.'
Cathay Pacific has been successfully carrying out trials of Bluetooth tracking with ULD partner Unilode which not only uses a low-energy version - which it claims has superior performance and range - but is also able to show the data capture on smart phones and tablets.
The ULD lessor said it would roll out the 'digital enablement' of its ULD fleet, allowing other airlines to benefit from the technology.
Cathay's tracking trials are also using blockchain to capture the ULD's unique number and the agent it is released to, creating a timeline for the custody of each unit. It can then be monitored with Bluetooth tracking. The technology also reduces the number of 'idling' ULDs, which can be traced and made available for shipments.
The technology not only helps track cargo but also eliminates all paperwork at the dock door when the ULDs are loaned out. A digital uniform control receipt will be emailed directly to the shipper and customers will receive customised push notifications, with full tracking available, London's Loadstar reported.
Cathay Pacific is also close to delivering end-to-end visibility of its cargo shipments after successfully conducting trials of Bluetooth tracking with ULD partner Unilode.
Delta has partnered with CORE Technologies and ACL Airshop, which offers ULD repairs and leasing at 40 top cargo hubs.
ACL Airshop CEO Steve Townes said: 'This latest technology upgrade from CORE can yield new competitive advantages and logistics efficiencies for airlines.'
Delta has deployed Bluetooth tracking technology since March at 80 airline warehouse locations and has 70 more to go. Some 40 per cent of its ULD fleet is tagged with Bluetooth asset trackers and Delta said the information would help it 'monitor and reroute shipments that are delayed due to irregular operations, like inclement weather.'
Cathay Pacific has been successfully carrying out trials of Bluetooth tracking with ULD partner Unilode which not only uses a low-energy version - which it claims has superior performance and range - but is also able to show the data capture on smart phones and tablets.
The ULD lessor said it would roll out the 'digital enablement' of its ULD fleet, allowing other airlines to benefit from the technology.
Cathay's tracking trials are also using blockchain to capture the ULD's unique number and the agent it is released to, creating a timeline for the custody of each unit. It can then be monitored with Bluetooth tracking. The technology also reduces the number of 'idling' ULDs, which can be traced and made available for shipments.