Airbus has launched a collaborative air freight initiative on 13 March at the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Hong Kong together with leading partners from the airline, logistics and handling sectors.
The thought leadership platform, called OpenCargoLab, will include experts from CHAMP Cargosystems, Fraport, KLM Cargo, Kuehne+Nagel and Swissport, who will work on ‘digital, resource-saving concepts’ to enable more resilient and efficient airfreight processes.
As part of the initiative, Airbus will also evaluate digital solutions like augmented reality and robotics to optimise data connectivity, particularly in the transport of dangerous goods.
An innovative test field for validating these new technology concepts is currently established at a cargo competence site in Bremen, known for the development of cargo loading systems or cargo door actuation systems.
Airbus predicts the global freight market to grow by 50 percent by 2042, citing as a highly promising market for modern airfreight business with digital-savvy hubs.
The company also anticipates demand for around 400 widebody freighters in the region, including new builds and conversions, over the next 20 years, or more than a quarter of the global demand (1,490 cargo aircraft) in the above 40-tonne segment.
On this, the OpenCargoLab will also contribute to the A350F’s further design and application development, which has garnered 50 firm orders in two-and-a-half years after being launched.
Plans to install a replica of the A350F fuselage with the large cargo door is scheduled to be completed at a new cargo test center by the end of 2024.
“With the OpenCargoLab, we benefit from a holistic think tank for the dynamically growing cargo market and thus an agile environment for developing innovations connecting the airfreight market of today and tomorrow,” says Marvin Ehrmann, Head of Airbus’ OpenCargoLab.
“We are very excited to have established a thought leadership platform where experienced partners can drive the airfreight sector to become even more efficient, sustainable and connected.”
