Air Cargo Handling Rushton, A., Croucher, P., & Baker, P. (2013). The handbook of logistics & distribution management. London: Kogan Page.

1. A I R
C A R G O
H A N D L I N G

2. AIR CARGO HANDLING Dr. Suthep Nimsai

3. A N D U S E D T O T R A N S P O R T C A R G O
B Y A I R P L A N E .
ULD:
UNIT LOAD
DEVICE

4. ULDs become part of the aircraft. They can convey any type of cargo,
from passenger suitcases and perishable goods to horses and Formula-1 cars.
ULDs enable individual
pieces of cargo, luggage
or mail to be assembled
into a single unit, which
can then be loaded on and
off an aircraft with speed.
They allow cargo to be
stowed efficiently and
safely while maximizing
the use of the available
space.

5. The benefits of ULDs
The most important purpose of a ULD is to secure
cargo during flight. The safety of the plane and its
passengers comes first every time. But ULDs also:
• eliminate the need for manual loading and
unloading
• protect cargo contents so that goods arrived
undamaged
• maximize the use of the aircraft’s cargo space
• allow the fast, easy transfer of cargo between
planes
The global introduction of standardized containers
has improved cargo handling enormously, lowering
operational costs. That, in turn, helps lower freight
charges and boosts trade flows.

6. ULD = Aircraft Part
ULDs are aircraft parts subject to CAA’s airworthiness requirements.
Aircraft flight safety regulations apply and are defined in:
• ICAO Annex 6, Operation of Aircraft;
• ICAO Annex 8, Airworthiness of Aircraft; and
• The derived national

7. Containers, also known as cans and pods, are typically
lightweight structures comprising a base, a frame with side
and roof panels, and a fabric or solid door. There are many
different types of containers. Some are collapsible, some are
insulated, others are ventilated or refrigerated and so on.
ULD CATEGORY
ULDs are divided into two main categories:
AIRCRAFT
CONTAINER
AIRCRAFT PALLET
/ N E T C O M B I N AT I O N
Cargo on pallets are secured by a net,
which is attached to the pallet’s rim.



8. MAIN DESK:
AIRCRAFT PALLET
The main deck is often loaded with flat metal pallets
of specific dimensions that carry the cargo secured
by netting
Many ULDs are shaped to reflect the
shape of the aircraft hold and are
therefore often specific for use in
certain aircraft.
Air freighters may have a main deck
and a lower deck in the fuselage.

9. LOWER DESK:
AIRCRAFT CONTAINER
Lower deck ULDs may be shaped to reflect the fuselage shape and be made of
light metal with a door or netting on one side to allow for cargo stacking.

10. • Makes loading and unloading cargo easier
• Makes loading onto and unloading off an aircraft easier
• Gives better protection against all kinds of weather
• Gives better protection against damage to the cargo
• Gives better protection against damage to the aircraft
by the cargo
• Prevents unauthorized access to the cargo
WHY USE A
CONTAINER?
WHY USE
A PALLET?
• Cheaper to use than containers
• Accepts cargo that is difficult to fit into containers
(e.g. oversized cargo)
• Accepts some ‘Special Load’ cargo that can only
be loaded on open pallets
• They are stackable and therefore efficient and easy
to store empty and return by plane

11. A A F c o n t a i n e r
Lower desk
A A X C o n t a i n e r
Translucent sheets, drainage
floor, sliding cover
A K N F S K c o n t a i n e r
Aircraft wheels, related tools
and spare parts
A K N c o n t a i n e r
Solid door, forkliftable
A A X C o n t a i n e r
Translucent sheets, drainage
floor, cover door
A K P c o n t a i n e r
Rapid response container with
custom interior
AIRCRAFT CONTAINERS

12. P B E p a l l e t
Heavy duty, seat pallet
P K H p a l l e t
Rapid deployment pallet
P M X p o w e r p l a t f o r m
Heavy duty pallet, forkliftable,
ISO corners
P E E p a l l e t
Heavy duty, seat pallet
P L H p a l l e t
Pallet frame for special
containers
P L A p a l l e t
Medium duty pallet
AIRCRAFT PALLETS

13. A M F c o n t a i n e r
Formule 1, front loading,
removable platform
V R A c a r t r a n s p o r t e r
A-frames, car platform
A u t o b o k
Forkliftable
A M F c o n t a i n e r
WRC car, side loading, tools
and equipment
V R D C a r Tr a n s p o r t e r
A1 Grand prix car rack,
additional storage box
P G X c a r p l a t f o r m
Forkliftable, large ramps
internally stored
CAR TRANSPORTERS

14. M G X c o n t a i n e r
Forkliftable, self-contained
capabilities, rapid deployment
R K N C o o l c o n t a i n e r
Insulated only
R K N C o o l c o n t a i n e r
Dry ice
R G X c o n t a i n e r
Forkliftable, self-contained
capabilities, high tech
R A P C o o l c o n t a i n e r
Insulated only
R A P C o o l c o n t a i n e r
Dry ice / Temperature control
COOL CONTAINERS

15. H M C h o r s e s t a b l e
Collapsible, A-contour, three
horse configuration
H M A h o r s e s t a b l e H AY h o r s e s t a b l e
Specially designed for B737/757, three
horse configuration
H M L / H M R h o r s e s t a b l e
Lightweight version of the
HML/HMR horse stable
H M J h o r s e s t a b l e
Lightweight, drop-top, three
horse configuration
H M J h o r s e s t a b l e
Lightweight, contour conversion, three
horse configuration
HORSE STABLES
Three horse configuration, two ramps,
complete interior, animal welfare

16. Many different parties handle ULDs as they pass between airlines and airports
around the world, so a system was needed to identify easily and quickly each ULD.
Therefore, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) introduced a global
standard system of identification.
Accordingly, each ULD is assigned a unique ULD code, which is clearly visible on
the relevant unit. By standardizing the system, all manufacturers, cargo handlers
and airlines can now identify the ULD’s classification and the owner at a glance.
An international,
standardized coding system

17. IDENTIFYING A ULD
Each ULD is identified by its ULD code. This code is a unique combination of
letters and numbers, starting with a three-letter prefix that indentifies the type of
ULD. This prefix is followed by a unique 4 or 5-digit serial number to distinguish it
from others of the same type. The last two or three characters designate the owner
of the ULD (e.g. the airline).
XXX:
ULD Type Code
01234:
Serial number
XYZ:
Owner / Registrant
Format of a ULD code: XXX 01234 XYZ

18. The three-letter prefix
The first three letters of a ULD code are perhaps the most
important. They are used to identify the type, size and shape
of the ULD. This information is vital in determining not only
the type of cargo it can contain but also the aircraft it is
compatible with.
The three-letter prefix works as follows:
• 1st letter represents the type of ULD
• 2nd letter represents the base size of the ULD
• 3rd letter represents the container’s contour or the
pallet’s restraint system

19. Industry standards
A Certified aircraft container
B Certified winged aircraft pallet
D Non-certified aircraft container
F Non-certified aircraft pallet
G Non-certified aircraft pallet net
H Certified horse stalls
J Thermal non-structural igloo
K Certified cattle stalls
L Certified multi-contour aircraft container
M Thermal non-certified aircraft container
N Certified aircraft pallet net
P Certified aircraft pallet
Q Certified hardened aircraft container
R Thermal certified aircraft container
S Certified multi-modal air/surface container
U Non-structural container (igloo)
V Automobile transport equipment
W Certified ULD for aircraft engine transport
X Reserved for airline internal use
Y Reserved for airline internal use
Z Reserved for airline internal use
Types
The first letter of the code’s prefix describes the type of container:

20. Industry standards
A 2235 x 3175 mm / 88 x 125 inch
B 2235 x 2743 mm / 88 x 108 inch
G 2438 x 6058 mm / 96 x 238.5 inch (20 ft)
K 1534 x 1562 mm / 60.4 x 61.5 inch
L 1534 x 3175 mm / 60.4 x 125 inch
M 2438 x 3175 mm / 96 x 125 inch
N 1562 x 2438 mm / 61.5 x 96 inch
P 1198 x 1534 mm / 47 x 60.4 inch
Q 1534 x 2438 mm / 60.4 x 96 inch
R 2438 x 4978 mm / 96 x 196 inch (16 ft)
S 1562 x 2235 mm / 61.5 x 88 inch
Base Sizes
The second letter of the code’s prefix describes the base dimensions of the unit. The following
codes are used for containers manufactured after 1 October 1990:

21. Industry standards
Contour
The third letter of the code’s prefix describes the container's contour (shaped to fit in the plane’s body) and, in
the case of pallets and nets, the restraint system in which the unit is classified. The ULD contour is designed
to maximise the cargo volume carried, and depends on its position in an aircraft (upper or lower deck).
A summary of all contours can be found below.
C o n t o u r A
Width: 2438 mm / 96 in
Height: 2438 mm / 96 in
Type: Main Deck
C o n t o u r B
Width: 2438 mm / 96 in
Height: 2438 mm / 96 in
Type: Main Deck
C o n t o u r C
Width: 2337mm / 92 in
Height: 1626 mm / 64 in
Type: Lower Deck
C o n t o u r D
Width: 2438 mm / 96 in
Height: 2997 mm / 118 in
Type: Main Deck

22. C o n t o u r E
Width: 2007 mm / 79 in
Height: 1626 mm / 64 in
Type: Lower Deck
C o n t o u r F
Width: 4064 mm / 160 in
Height: 1626 mm / 64 in
Type: Lower Deck
C o n t o u r G
Width: 2007 mm / 79 in
Height: 1143 mm / 45 in
Type: Lower Deck
C o n t o u r H
Width: 2438 mm / 96 in
Height: 1143 mm / 45 in
Type: Lower Deck
C o n t o u r J
Width: 2438 mm / 96 in
Height: 2438 mm / 96 in
Type: Main Deck
C o n t o u r K
Width: 3175 mm / 125 in
Height: 1626 mm / 64 in
Type: Main / Lower Deck
C o n t o u r L
Width: 2438 mm / 96 in
Height: 2946 mm / 116 in
Type: Main Deck
C o n t o u r M
Width: 2236 mm / 88 in
Height: 2286 mm / 90 in
Type: Main Deck

23. C o n t o u r N
Width: 2007 mm / 79 in
Height: 1626 mm / 64 in
Type: Lower Deck
C o n t o u r P
Width: 3175 mm / 125 in
Height: 1626 mm / 64 in
Type: Lower Deck
C o n t o u r U
Width: 4724 mm / 186 in
Height: 1626 mm / 64 in
Type: Lower Deck
C o n t o u r V
Width: 2438 mm / 96 in
Height: 2438 mm / 96 in
Type: Main Deck
C o n t o u r X
Width: 2438 mm / 96 in
Height: 2997 mm / 118 in
Type: Main Deck
C o n t o u r Y
Width: 3175 mm / 125 in
Height: 2083 mm / 82 in
Type: Main Deck
C o n t o u r Z
Width: 3175 mm / 125 in
Height: 2083 mm / 82 in
Type: Main Deck

24. Z H I Y O N G L I A O
Safe ULD operations on the
ground are essential to
flight safety in the air!

25. ULDs are moved around using
fixed conveying systems that
consist of tracks fitted with rollers
that are often powered.
These conveying systems are also
capable of turning the pallet to
travel in a different direction.
For example when a ULD is being
rolled into a cargo hold on the
plane it may need to be turned
through 90˚ to correctly position it
for safe stowing inside the aircraft.
FIXED
CONVEYING
SYSTEM

26. Aircraft holds are accessed through side, front or rear
doors which themselves have restrictions in terms
of dimensions

27. The ULDs are lifted by
a powered lifting device
(often referred to as a
hi-loader) that presents
the ULDs to the door of
the aircraft.
HI-LOADER

28. Larger heavy-lift aircraft may
be accessed by front or rear
doors that lower to ground
level allowing certain cargo to
be loaded by fork lift truck.
These planes also often have
overhead gantry cranes to
assist the loading process.
LARGER
HEAVY-LIFT
AIRCRAFT

29. Antonov An 225

31. Dr. Suthep Nimsai
Aviation Business Management, School of Management,
Mae Fah Luang University
Room E1 310, E1 building, Mae Fah Luang University.
333 M.1 Thasud, Muang, Chiangrai 57100.
P H O N E
0 5391 7774
E M A I L
suthep.nim@mfu.ac.th