SkyCell joins forces with Air France KLM Martinair Cargo

The Zug-based firm SkyCell has been selected by the Air France KLM Martinair Group as a partner for the tracking of airfreight containers and pallets (also known as Unit Load Devices, or ULDs for short). The collaboration involves the deployment of SkyMind, a technology platform operated on the basis of the Internet of Things (IoT) developed by SkyCell, across the entire ULD fleet of Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, further details of which can be found in a press release. SkyMind is a learning system powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) that ensures the availability of the correct stock of products and assets at the right time and place. It reduces the risk of losing products or assets while at the same time enhancing operational efficiency and efficacy.

Against the backdrop of estimated costs in the amount of 330 million US dollars each year for global ULD loss and repair, SkyCell describes its solution as game-changing. “Implementing state-of-the-art tracking devices to locate our ULDs will not only enable us to track our assets but will also significantly enhance our operational quality”, comments Adriaan den Heijer, EVP at Air France-KLM Cargo and Managing Director of Martinair, in the press release.

According to SkyCell, its new technology standard for the airfreight business serves to reduce the manual effort that was previously associated with tracking services. As a result, this should generate significant time and cost savings. In the word of Nico Ros, CTO and co-founder of SkyCell, this partnership marks “a major transformation in the airline industry towards automation, with a strong focus on efficient ULD management, streamlined dispositioning and improved asset utilization”. ce/mm