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The handling of cargo throughout the air transportation process can present a number of potential headaches for operators. Air Cargo Middle East & India investigates the current standards, methods and equipment adopted by industry leaders.

While the airfreight industry has continued to grow at a considerable pace, the handling methods implemented during the air transit process have not altered radically.

Speaking to a range of handling equipment providers, ground handling operators, industry experts and airlines, it becomes clear that improving organisation is the main means for enhancing handling techniques.

Issues such as damage or pilferage are a common threat to goods transported by air and measures to counter these vary in shape and form.

Dubai International Airport has established a reputation worldwide as an efficient and secure operation, a fact that can be partly attributed to the quality of its ground handling company, Dnata.

"Dnata Cargo is the leading airport freight handling company in the Middle East and has always made safety a top priority. For more than ten years Dnata Cargo has established Total Quality Management (TQM) best practices across Dubai airport and all its air cargo terminals," says Jean Pierre De Pauw, divisional senior vice president, Dnata Cargo.

Evidence of Dnata's efforts to strictly regulate its cargo handling procedures comes in the form of industry certification.

In 2003, it became the first air cargo terminal operator in the region to obtain the occupation health and safety management system, OHSAS 18001. Similarly, Dnata Cargo also holds other security certifications, such as ISO9001-2000 and IS014001.

"Recently Dnata Cargo organised a cargo safety awareness campaign. The intiative involved a number of training programmes and workshops attended by more than 150 staff members, including equipment operators and drivers."

"The aim was to nurture a proactive approach to health and safety issues, with particular attention paid to risk management," notes De Pauw.

"Dnata Cargo's equipment operators and drivers also undergo regular training programmes covering various topics, including the proper handling of dangerous goods, occupational health and environmental matters."

If adopting international guidelines alongside implementing routine internal training is an effective means of developing high standards, the equipment used throughout the handling process also plays an essential role.

Unit Loading Devices (ULDs) or other forms of equipment used to uphold and support goods onboard vary immensely in their function and weight.

AmSafe Bridport has gained considerable expertise from its role as manufacturer and provider of cargo containment equipment.

Working in close collaboration with aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing, the company has often been responsible for raising the benchmark in cargo handling equipment.

"We are the world's leading manufacturer of air cargo nets, tie down straps, container doors and covers, thermal covers and various ancillary equipment for the cargo area within aircrafts," says Ian Kentfield, director, Asia, AmSafe Bridport.

"We are also the original equipment manufacturer for the 9G barrier nets for Airbus. Every Airbus model has our equipment, including the A380 and A400M, while we also have a range of Boeing nets for all models except one."

With a main manufacturing and engineering hub in Sri Lanka, alongside additional bases in the UK, US and China, AmSafe Bridport works closely with governing industry bodies when developing its products.

For example, a number of its engineers are also members of the technical panels within IATA.

While quick to point out the high standards of airfreight handling in the region, the company also believes there is definite room for improvement, particularly in the realm of cool chain solutions.

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