Top 3 trends in the evolution of air cargo communities

#2: Digitalization of resource management and physical operations

Airport cargo communities recognize the value in digitalizing operations to increase efficiency and reduce costs among community partners, and have taken two approaches to digitalizing airport operations: Adopting cloud platforms and applications for resource management; and Integrating physical operations with digital technology. Cloud platforms and applications for resource management allow airport cargo communities to streamline scattered infrastructures of various airport stakeholders’ operations. The process of sharing data over secure cloud platforms increases visibility between providers, which allows for efficient planning of operations and lower costs in time and money. Currently, Brussels (BRU), Heathrow (LHR), Vienna (VIE) and Liège (LGG) airports already leverage the technology in their communities. Singapore (SIN) and Frankfurt (FRA) airports also told Air Cargo Airports that soon, they too will introduce digital platforms to connect key players across their airport community. Singapore said that it is currently working towards establishing an airport community system to connect all key players in the supply chain, beyond each stakeholders’ individual system. Meanwhile, FRA has already launched its digital Fair@Link platform to connect key players across the airport community and will soon launch its “Air Cargo Digitalization Catalyst” (ACDC) this spring. ACDC will include the ability to host a variety of applications the airport seeks to develop, including a ramp slot-booking app, eDGD, ePER Import and the smart air cargo trailer.