Japan Airlines went home with top honours amongst nine international airlines that took part in the latest Hactl International Forklift and Pallet Building Competition, held at Hactl’s SuperTerminal 1 facility in Hong Kong. 

The event returned this year for the 13th time, after a 4-year hiatus due to health and travel restrictions and was graced by around 300 individuals and participants from Air Canada, Cargolux Airlines International S.A., Emirates, Finnair, IAG Cargo, Japan Airlines, MASkargo, Nippon Cargo Airlines and Qatar Airways.  

Japan Airlines was dubbed ‘overall champion’ for winning the Forklift Competition and Forklift Driving Safety Award in this year’s event, whilst the Qatar Airways was victorious in the Pallet Building Competition. 

The forklift driving element of the event tested the ability of contestants to manoeuvre forklift trucks accurately and safely over complex courses. In the Pallet Building contest, teams had a maximum of one hour in which to build up as much cargo as possible onto pallets, to their designated contours, and in full compliance with IATA standards and other recognised best practice in the aviation industry. 

Hactl Chief Executive Wilson Kwon, expressed pride in continuing the industry competition, which he hopes will bring more teams in the coming years. 

“Everyone seemed to enjoy the event, but behind the friendly rivalry and opportunity to meet and make friends, we believe it also has an important message to convey about safety at work and professional standards,” Kwong noted.