Fraunhofer IML Leading the Way in “Digital Testbed Air Cargo”

On September 15, 2021, the starting signal was given for an industry-wide research activity in air freight logistics, which is being led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) under the title “Digital Testbed Air Cargo”.

(Berlin/Dortmund) The goal is to increase the efficiency and performance of the air freight transport chain through better networking of all involved parties and the digitization of processes. To achieve this, the project partners aim to create a neutral nationwide research framework that consolidates air freight-specific research activities and highlights and makes available digitization approaches in the various process stages.

Over a period of three years, under the scientific leadership of Fraunhofer IML and the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, six sub-projects will develop and demonstrate integrative and overarching “lighthouse solutions”. The implementation of these projects is planned with eight fixed operational project partners and one associated partner. The collaboration of different stakeholders covering the entire air freight logistics, including pre- and post-carriage, allows for the incorporation and consideration of perspectives and requirements for further developments from the entire industry. This creates the opportunity to develop location-independent digital solutions and, on the other hand, the necessary acceptance for implementation into existing process flows.

Bringing Innovations into Practice

“The digital testbed Air Cargo is a great opportunity to bring more innovations for efficient air freight processes in Germany into practice together as a consortium of business and science. I am proud of our Aviation Logistics team, appreciate the good cooperation with all partners, and wish the project much success,” says Prof. Uwe Clausen, director of Fraunhofer IML.

“We want to make air freight more digital and efficient. We can only achieve this if existing capacities are better utilized and processes optimized. Therefore, we are developing digital solutions at German airport locations that can accelerate air freight and thus also reduce emissions from air freight. For the first time, all major locations in Germany are working together to strengthen Germany as an air freight location: Munich, Frankfurt, Leipzig, and Cologne! The air freight industry is characterized by strong competition. In this project, we bring all stakeholders together and thus make the German location future-proof for international competition,” emphasizes Andreas Scheuer, Federal Minister for Transport and Digital Infrastructure.

Several Consortium Partners from the Air Freight Sector

The BMVI is providing around 7 million euros for the implementation. The project covers three thematic areas: “Standardized data exchange between the stakeholders of the air freight transport chain in relation to national and international initiatives” (e.g., eFTI and ONE Record), “Automation of disposition, handling, and transport,” and “Added value through AI-supported optimization and forecasting.” Consortium partners include airports in Cologne, Frankfurt, Leipzig, and Munich, Lufthansa Cargo AG, DB Schenker, and Sovereign Speed GmbH as logistics service providers, as well as CHI Deutschland Cargo Handling GmbH. LUG aircargo handling GmbH is also involved as the first associated partner.

Photo: © Fraunhofer IML