- Aventus has successfully trialed its blockchain solution at Heathrow Airport, reducing documentation, loading time, and communication errors
- The pilot program has significantly improved operational efficiency, leading to quicker turnaround times and reduced losses
- Aventus has hopes for expansion to a larger implementation
Blockchain firm Aventus has reported success in a recent trial of its solution in the UK’s Heathrow Airport, with reductions in documentation, loading time and communication errors. Aventus says that a pilot program of its automated unit load device (ULD) management allowed Heathrow to “significantly improve operational efficiency at a global scale,” resulting in quicker turnaround times and reduced losses. The company will now be hoping that the pilot moves on to a larger implementation.
Cargo Management Ripe for Overhaul
Aventus says that managing ULD is a well-known problem that impacts just about every sector of the air cargo industry, with airlines, ground handlers, cargo terminals and freight forwarders all experiencing issues with the process. These issues include non-digital data input, non-standardized databases, low data transparency and challenges around auditability, all of which result in slower turnaround times and revenue loss for airlines.
However, a pilot program between Aventus and an unnamed airline at Heathrow Airport has demonstrated the significant potential of blockchain technology in improving aircraft unit load device (ULD) management.
Impressive Results Points to Promising Future
Aventus revealed in a post on its website how it migrated ULD management to a blockchain-based platform, addressing the key issues presented by legacy ULD management systems, with some impressive results: documentation and record-keeping times were reduced by 83%, loading times were reduced by 28%, and it recorded a 7% gain in productivity due to streamlined processes and increased digitization.
The company added that its innovative approach also facilitated real-time visibility, improved trust between parties, and simplified the settlement of charges.
Maurizio Beni, an advisor and former director at Heathrow Airport, highlighted the need for such a solution, noting that despite its advancements in many areas over the past few decades, the approach to cargo management has remained “rudimentary”, adding that blockchain could provide the answer:
Blockchain has the potential to bring unparalleled efficiencies to cargo management – which might be the difference between airlines thriving or dying in this challenging time for the industry.
Blockchain-based tests have been conducted in many airline and airport processes over the years, including refueling and ticketing, but none is yet to…er…really take off.
