Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, will utilize radio frequency identification to track cargo at its new airfreight handling system under construction in Dubai.
The airline's SkyCargo unit plans to introduce an active tagging system to track unit load devices (ULDs), pallets and other assets, then gradually introduce the use of passive UHF tags on cargo.
The RFID technology will replace an electronic data interchange system currently in use to improve transparency within the supply chain.
Emirates wants to use an Internet-based communication system so that shipping and airline partners handing off or receiving cargo can have easy access to information about shipments. Next year, the airline will be moving into a new cargo handling facility with a capacity of 1.2 million tons, and it will need the new IT infrastructure to support it.
Emirates plans to use a combination of active, passive and semi-active tags in the new cargo facility. The first stage, which should be rolled out in the second half of next year, involves tagging reusable assets, including pallets and containers.
Emirates is in discussions with RFID hardware vendors and plans to complete a pilot program by the end of October. The first phase of the new core IT system being built in-house is expected to be completed by December.
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