The demand for air cargo services continues to rise across North and South America, and innovation and strategic management have become more critical than ever. With growing sectors such as e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and perishables, the need for robust Unit Load Device (ULD) solutions has intensified.
“We serve a growing number of customers in North, Central, and South America,” said Shailendar Kothari, Managing Director for the Americas, Jettainer.
From major hubs in Dallas, Chicago, Miami, New York, and Los Angeles to important South American markets, Jettainer is supporting the air cargo sector with state-of-the-art technology, strategic partnerships, and sustainable solutions.
The South American market, in particular, presents unique challenges: “The demand, in terms of ULD requirements, can sometimes be quite unexpected, but we are flexible to also cover short-term needs.”
This adaptability allows Jettainer to maintain a competitive edge, especially during peak seasons like Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day: “These require special arrangements as this is the time when demand peaks due to the large volumes of flower shipments. Jettainer is well positioned to understand this need from our customers and ensures that all their demands are met in a timely manner”.
Investment and infrastructure
Technology is a cornerstone of Jettainer’s operational efficiency, and the company has embraced digital solutions to manage the complexities of ULD logistics. Additionally, in the Americas, the Jettainer operations team is completely integrated with one of its biggest customers, and hence communication works seamlessly. There is a pro-active approach to finding solutions.
These strategic partnerships play a crucial role in Jettainer’s success across the Americas. Collaboration with Ground Handling Agents (GHAs) and repair service partners forms the foundation of the company’s ULD management system, working hand-in-hand to ensure smooth operations.
“State-of-the-art technologies and digital solutions are key for us to provide our customers with the best ULD management service. Our sophisticated IT solutions and well-trained employees with airline background, allow us to provide our customers with the required ULDs 100 percent reliably and highly efficiently.”
“Our in-house developed IT solution, JettWare, offers transparent and real-time station inventory, ULD history and movement tracking, as well as a number of reporting options.
“JettWare NG, our upgraded version, already features initial artificial intelligence capabilities and is being continuously developed to provide even better workflow support. JettWare is the backbone that helps Jettainer deliver on its promise of 100 percent ULD availability to its customers”.
Sustainability in ULD management
Sustainability has become an increasingly important focus for Jettainer, especially in terms of ULD production and handling. According to Kothari, Jettainer is investing a lot in ensuring that manufacturers are producing lighter yet durable ULDs. This weight reduction not only helps reduce fuel burn but also contributes to lowering CO2 emissions, aligning with global efforts to minimise the environmental impact of air cargo.
“The issue of damaged ULDs is very serious and causes high costs for the industry every year,” Kothari noted. Jettainer also provides regular training to its stakeholders on handling ULDs correctly to reduce damages.
Regional view
Overall, across the Americas, there is a positive outlook for ULD demand, closely tied to the growth of the air cargo and passenger sectors. “The growth in aircraft orders by airlines will organically result in increased capacity for cargo and baggage, thus leading to additional ULD demands,” Kothari said.
“Our employees are not only experts in their field but also speak multiple languages, which is advantageous in this multi-lingual regional landscape,” Kothari shared.
“With our specialised expertise in ULD management, we want to secure many more customers in North and South America. As we continue to grow, we also generate additional synergies that help customers to significantly reduce their ULD needs and hence their costs”.
