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unexpected maintenance expenses and removes the need for airlines to invest in their own facilities,” Akhlaq noted.


Digitalisation drives reliability Pooling’s growing success is being propelled by rapid advances in digital


technology. Unilode’s IoT-enabled tags, sensors, and reader network—now installed at nearly 1,300 airports worldwide—allow real-time visibility of each ULD’s location, condition, and maintenance status. Through Unilode’s e-ULD app and Customer Portal, operators can access


live data on their assets, track performance, and make informed operational decisions. Predictive maintenance tools ensure repairs are scheduled proactively, cutting downtime and extending each unit’s lifespan. “By the end of 2025, almost 95 percent of Unilode’s 200,000 ULD fleet will be


fully digitalised,” Mohammed said. This digital backbone turns the pooled network into an intelligent, connected ecosystem, enabling predictive maintenance, minimising loss, and ensuring ULDs are always in the right place at the right time.


Strategic partnerships are also paving the way for expansion. Unilode’s Smart


Sustainability and the circular economy As aviation faces growing pressure to decarbonise, pooling offers a tangible path to progress. Shared ULD fleets reduce the number of units manufactured, lowering raw material use and associated emissions. Optimised redistribution cuts repositioning flights and fuel burn, contributing to a 15 to 25 percent reduction in CO2 per unit. This circular approach extends through Unilode’s global maintenance, repair,


and overhaul (MRO) network—the largest of its kind in the world—where damaged units are refurbished and returned to service rather than scrapped. Standardised repair processes across the network improve efficiency, reduce waste, and extend each ULD’s lifecycle.


ULD programme with Air Canada and OnAsset Intelligence, for example, integrates advanced readers across the airline’s fleet and airport facilities to deliver end-to- end visibility and more efficient ULD allocation. Pooling also aligns closely with industry-wide sustainability targets, including


IATA’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. By cutting waste, extending asset lifespans, and reducing emissions, shared ULD management helps airlines move closer to those ambitions. “Shared assets mean shared success,” Akhlaq concluded. “Our growing pooling


network delivers measurable efficiency, sustainability, and resilience—helping all the airlines to operate smarter today while building a more sustainable future for the industry.”


“This digital backbone turns the


pooled network into an intelligent, connected ecosystem”


Akhlaq highlighted Unilode’s broader sustainability initiatives, which include


a ten percent emissions reduction target for 2026, expansion of renewable energy, and the introduction of electric ground support equipment. The company’s salvage and parts reuse programme alone has saved nearly 27,000 kg of CO2 equivalent to date. “Pooling transforms ULDs into long-lasting, high-utilisation assets, supporting sustainability and lowering costs,” he said.


Shared aviation infrastructure The growing acceptance of pooling marks a wider cultural shift in aviation towards collaboration and shared efficiency. While some stakeholders remain cautious about shared accountability or asset availability, Akhlaq believes transparency and partnership are the keys to trust. “Our Customer Success Teams and on the ground teams provide localised training and support to ensure everyone understands their role within the pooling ecosystem,” he explained.


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