The enhanced pace of the cargo sector prompted Hamburg airport to become one of the first German airports to react and push ahead with the digitalisation of processes. According to Alexander Müller, Head of Cargo at Hamburg airport, the new platform represents an important step into the digital future.
"With FAIR@Link, we can significantly improve handling processes and manage the increasing volume of traffic on the ground more efficiently. At the same time, we increase sustainability and promote environmentally compatible growth for the location.”
With FAIR@Link, forwarders can book time slots for deliveries. This results in shorter waiting and handling times, more transparency along the transport chain and improved documentation for handling agents, who no longer need to re-enter duplicate data, thus avoiding mistakes and saving time. A particular advantage of digitalisation is that the system can prepare export Customs declarations and then automatically submit the electronic forms to Customs upon entry to the Hamburg Airport Customs Office geofence area.
All participants have already noticed clear improvements in their processes during the pilot phase. In addition to Hamburg airport and DAKOSY, the pilot participants included the forwarders CROSS FREIGHT, Delta-Stallion, a.hartrodt and SABLE, the handling agents LUG and Swissport, the Hamburg Airport Customs Office and the Hamburg Forwarding Agents Association.
The platform was developed by DAKOSY, which also operates the Port Community System for the Port of Hamburg and the Cargo Community System for Frankfurt airport. Ulrich Wrage, CEO of DAKOSY, commented: "Through connectivity and intelligent process support, FAIR@Link can optimise the physical processes between companies and achieve significantly faster and more transparent processing. In addition, the platform promotes ecological concerns, as optimised traffic management and reduced check-in and waiting times lead to CO2 savings. And it saves paper, too."