As the largest handling services provider at Kempegowda airport, AISATS manages two dedicated cargo handling centres: the AISATS Air Freight Terminal and the AISATS COOLPORT. It will be the first and only air cargo terminal operator in India to bring RFID technology to the country for real-time cargo tracking, enhanced end-to-end visibility and faster turnaround.
The RFID tracking system will also enhance accuracy, thereby making the cargo handling process more secure.
The RFID technology uses radio waves to transfer data from an electronic reader to an RFID tag and vice-versa. The handling staff can use a hand-held RFID scanner to scan the shipment pieces at various stages of the cargo handling process. Once the RFID-tagged shipment is scanned, the RFID-enabled device will send AWB-related information to a tracking platform, enabling all stakeholders to undertake real-time, end-to-end cargo tracking.
The platform is capable of tracking shipments at two levels: at piece level and at container level. The technology can be leveraged against various cargo services such as express cargo, valuables and perishables.
With 97,486 tons of cargo handled in the first quarter of this financial year, air cargo operations at Kempegowda airport have increased by 16.6% over the same period in the previous financial year. As more airlines commence operations and increase their frequencies at Bengaluru, air cargo volumes are expected to continue to increase.
“With cargo volumes burgeoning in Bengaluru, it is imperative that we embrace innovation and technological advancements to create an efficient cargo handling environment,” commented AISATS CEO Mike Chew.
“The RFID technology has a unique advantage of tracking shipments at piece level, which brings transparency to the supply chain and helps AISATS manage large volumes of cargo seamlessly. We are excited to be the first air cargo terminal operator company to implement this technology in India at Kempegowda International Airport