With Dubai feeling in the rearview mirror it's time to reflect a little on WCS 2025.
     Digitalization was one of the three key agenda items so it was not surprising that you could hardly throw a stone anywhere in the event without hitting somebody or something on this particular subject. But at the same time this is an industry that seems to observe the status quo, one notable comment from the concluding session “Innovation Showcase” was “this industry needs to get better at letting things go,” a remark that resonated for me.
     I would put forward that nowhere in this industry is a better example of a reluctance to let things go than in the management of ULDs which is stuck firmly in the legacy systems of the 1970s with a few bolt on enhancements. It is fair to say that the majority of the ULD-related companies (who made up 20% of the total exhibitors) had on display digital innovations that can deliver significant improvements to the management of these vital assets without which the air cargo industry would grind to a halt—no shortage of ideas.
     So why are matters still stuck firmly in the 1970’s? The issue here is the siloed nature of this industry, the airlines, the ground handlers and cargo terminals and the forwarders, all of whom derive significant advantages from the intermodal efficiency of ULD, but with a few exceptions wash their hands of all but the most basic responsibilities when it comes to taking matters forward.
     Having banged on about the importance of ULD for almost half a century, even the smallest chink of progress is welcome, so I was delighted to spend a considerable time on the subject with FIATA President Turgut Erkeskin, explaining how the various digital initiatives being developed by the ULD industry can benefit his members.
     And I was also very much impressed with the presentation on the A350F made by Frederic Brocard of Airbus which showed how this freighter will embody a whole new level of digital connectivity-functions, which we were told, will also be retrofittable into earlier Airbus freighter aircraft—this development which has very significant flight safety implications is a giant step forward.
     Coming away from Dubai, my head full of the ambitious expansion plans for the UAE aviation sector over the next ten or so years, I was able to feel slightly optimistic that there is at least a snail-like progress in digitalizing the world of ULD. 
     Of course, in true WCS style the show included a spectacular gala dinner graciously hosted by Emirates Sky Cargo at The Palm on April 16.
     Let’s see what WCS 2026 in Lima brings.
Bob Rogers