Lödige Industries has introduced a new software module called Cargo Direct, aimed at helping air cargo terminals improve workflow efficiency and make better use of existing capacity through real-time operational coordination.
Cargo Direct forms part of the company’s Cargo Professional Suite, its integrated terminal management platform, and has been developed in response to growing pressure on terminals from rising volumes, labor shortages and increasing process complexity.
According to Lödige, the air cargo terminal is no longer simply a local handling site. As airlines concentrate volumes through fewer and more intensive hubs, terminals are increasingly becoming digitally connected performance nodes within broader airline and forwarder networks.
Cargo Direct is designed to support that transition by reducing unnecessary cargo movements and synchronising handling resources more closely with shipment priorities. The company says this helps terminals increase throughput, stabilise operations during peak periods and improve the use of existing infrastructure without physical expansion.
Lödige said best-practice implementations have already shown significant efficiency gains, with more streamlined process flows, shorter handling times and better asset utilisation.
The system works by consolidating shipment information, special handling codes, terminal layout data, equipment availability and staff resources into one continuously updated activity plan.
Rather than merely recording what operators do, Cargo Direct actively determines and instructs the next best process step for each cargo unit.
In practical terms, each cargo item — whether a ULD, in-house pallet or individual package — is identified using hand-held scanners connected through WLAN or 5G. Based on the data captured, the system automatically directs the cargo to the next appropriate destination, such as storage, inspection, X-ray screening or build-up.
User interaction is reduced to a structured scan-and-confirm workflow, while exceptions including damaged freight or partial shipments are handled within the system logic itself.
Lödige chief executive Philippe De Backer said digitalisation in air cargo must go beyond simple visibility. In his view, the real opportunity lies in intelligent real-time orchestration, where shipment data, equipment and personnel are managed as one coordinated system.
He said Cargo Direct helps close the gap between equipment automation and genuine process automation, enabling terminals to deliver repeatable throughput while strengthening hub connectivity and schedule resilience.
The product is available under a subscription-based pricing model per airwaybill.
Lödige systems currently handle around 28 million tonnes of air freight each year, and the company has been supplying technology to the sector for more than 45 years.
Earlier this year, Korean Air also confirmed that it is working with Lödige Industries on automated handling technology at its New York JFK cargo terminal, including the installation of two fully automated Elevating Transfer Vehicles to improve ULD handling efficiency and capacity.
