The technology will replace manual tracking for all shipping containers, called ULDs, which move cargo shipments, baggage and mail globally.
Delta will become the first U.S. passenger airline to provide, real-time tracking for unit load devices (ULDs).
This move marks a new era for Delta Cargo and the more than 500 million kilograms of cargo it flies annually. The technology will replace manual tracking for all shipping containers, called ULDs, which move cargo shipments, baggage and mail globally.
“Our customers have told us they want improved tracking and immediate transparency for ULD shipments, and this best-in-class product will deliver exactly that,” Shawn Cole, Delta Vice President – Cargo said.
Real-time ULD tracking information will also allow Delta’s cargo control center to more accurately monitor and reroute shipments that are delayed due to irregular operations, like inclement weather.
When implemented, the new tracking system will also enable Delta to produce electronic unit control receipts, which is required by the International Air Transport Association when ULDs are transferred between parties – making Delta the first airline to offer a fully automated solution for customer transactions.
The airline’s current GPS-enabled cargo tracking products, including a recently-announced service for highly time-sensitive shipments called Equation Critical, will continue to be available for both narrow body and wide-body aircraft shipments traveling internationally and within the U.S..