More than 5,500 Bluetooth tags are being fitted on the carrier’s cargo containers, as well as more than 100 readers at 29 airports around the world, where Air New Zealand provides cargo services. When a tagged container passes through the reader, it will automatically update an online system that provides real-time data to the Air New Zealand team.
General Manager of Cargo for the airline, Rick Nelson, says the technology has been introduced as a result of feedback from its cargo and airport staff, and is expected to dramatically enhance the handling processes. “These Bluetooth tags and readers will not only allow us to speed up cargo handling but also improve our accuracy and inventory management and help to locate any missing items," he commented.
The technology has been developed in collaboration with Core Transport Technologies, and has been designed and manufactured in New Zealand.
Core Transport Technologies Managing Director, Ian Craig, reports that the project is the first of its kind. "We believe this to be the first time this type of technology has been deployed [on] this large scale anywhere in the world,” he said. “It's great to see our technology benefitting Air New Zealand and its many cargo customers and we look forward to continuing to work with the airline to further drive efficiencies.”
Currently, the technology is only being used internally, but the airline hopes to extend the benefits to the customer directly in the future.
"We see significant potential for this technology - it could be rolled out at airports to monitor ground service equipment, or used to manage mail shipments and eventually we would like to see it become customer facing, so our cargo customers can more easily track their shipments," Nelson added.
