Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras has awarded a full-service ULD (unit load device) management agreement to Unilode Aviation Solutions.

Under the terms of the four-year agreement, Unilode will supply digital containers and pallets in a hybrid ULD management model, where the containers are dedicated to the airline’s use and the pallets are provided from Unilode’s shared asset pool for highest efficiency and sustainability benefits.

Izabel Reis, Managing Director of Azul Cargo, said: “We are pleased to partner with Unilode for the full-service management and repair of our ULD fleet with significant digitalisation, sustainability and operational benefits. Unilode’s customer success-oriented approach gives us confidence that we will be able to focus on our core business of flying passengers and cargo whilst having peace of mind that we will have the right containers and pallets at the right time and in the right place. We have an ambitious growth plan for the next few years with over 90 aircraft on order and look forward to growing our operations with Unilode as our strategic partner for digital ULD management.”

Ross Marino, Chief Executive Officer Unilode, said: “We are delighted to enter into a full-service ULD management agreement with Azul, that builds upon our ULD repair and short-term leasing solutions, which we have provided to Azul over the past few years. Azul’s network provides a great overlap with a number of our other valued customers’ locations, especially in the Latin American market, which benefits all the participants of our shared asset pool. We look forward to building a successful partnership for many years to come with one of the most important airlines in the Americas market, and supporting its fleet expansion plans with ULD solutions that can flexibly be adapted to suit Azul’s requirements.”