Unilode Aviation Solutions is to manage Saudia and Saudia Cargo’s containers and pallets from 1 April 2017.
Unilode will set up a regional unit load device (ULD) management office in the airlines’ hub in Jeddah and Riyadh, and will operate a repair shop in Jeddah for ULD and galley cart maintenance and repair, supplementing Unilode’s owned worldwide network of 30 repair stations.
In addition, Unilode will manage ULD accessories, and Saudia has chosen the Hybrid ULD Management solution in which the containers are part of a dedicated fleet and pallets are supplied from Unilode’s pool.
Saudia Cargo chief executive officer (CEO), Nabil Khojah says: “For our service delivery it is essential that we have the ULDs ready in an airworthy condition when and where we need them, and given Unilode’s fleet now counts over 120,000 ULDs, and they will provide us with additional services such as ULD accessories management, this will ensure the correct ULD availability during our partnership with Unilode.”
Unilode president and CEO, Dr Ludwig Bertsch adds this is a great start following the rebranding from CHEP Aerospace Solutions, saying: “Middle Eastern carriers are the world’s fastest growing airlines and we are committed to support our customers’ growth plans which may include the purchase of additional assets and opening of new stations in our ULD management and repair network.”
