The DAKOSY Cargo Community Platform at Frankfurt Airport FAIR@Link continues to expand its range of functions for both imports and exports, thereby filling the final gaps in the digital information chain. The platform once again increases its value for the community, as can be seen by the increasing number of participants.

Newly added users include many well-known logistics companies, among them Agility, a. hartrodt, Bolloré Logistics Germany, CHI Cargo Handling International, DHL Global Forwarding, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics and Röhlig Logistics as well as a variety of airlines. A total of more than 50 companies are already a part of the system, and the number continues to grow. "The connection to FAIR@Link was easy, and the resulting facilitation of our daily work is tremendous," praises Christof Kiralis, Manager Airfreight Import Gateway at DHL Global Forwarding in Frankfurt, and continues: "We are very satisfied with FAIR@Link. Thanks to the excellent support from DAKOSY, we were able to quickly complete the implementation phase and put it into real operation. Today, our processes are more streamlined and efficient."

For both import and export, the practical advantages can be clearly measured. For imports, freight forwarders receive flight manifest data (FFM data) from the airlines via the integrated FAIR@Link dashboard, with status reports on incoming flights and AWBs. Thanks to the real-time information, there is already a high degree of transparency in the run-up, which means that the necessary resources can be planned in a timely manner and the partners can be perfectly integrated into the ground and cargo handling at the airport.

The next steps leading up to the delivery of shipments are also accelerated through using FAIR@Link. Using a forecast containing the master AWB data, the freight forwarder is informed in advance about incoming shipments. By linking this information to the custody declarations from the ground handling agent (GHA) in FAIR@Link, the printing of the handover certificates/custody certificates and, if relevant, the change of depositary can be processed automatically. The printing for direct shipments is usually handled by the freight forwarder; the printing of the consolidated AWB is done by the handling partner/trucker who picks up the goods. This achieves significant time savings by eliminating the delay which formerly existed between the arrival of the goods and their pick-up. Directly after receipt of goods at the consolidation center, FAIR@Link can be used to easily compare planned data with actual data and the data from the summary declarations. The distribution of the shipment then takes place according to the house AWBs prepared by FAIR@Link.

On the export side, FAIR@Link has corresponding functions which are used for example by Röhlig Logistics. The logistics service provider has fully integrated these into its CargoSoft Transport Management System and, with support from FAIR@Link, also automated the AES delivery to ATLAS. The FRAPORT license plate recognition system is used at entry into CargoCity South. Once the license plate information is recognized by the camera, the Customs process is triggered in the ATLAS-certified Customs software. The head of Röhlig Airfreight Gateways, Alexander Verges, is very satisfied with the benefits gained: "All stations support the process and record the truck license plate numbers in CargoSoft. We handle around 25 to 30 vehicles per week with up to 400 shipments via the automated process. In the past, employees had to initiate the Customs process manually after unloading, now it’s already done. We save time and resources, especially when shipments arrive at night or weekends. The routine tasks are taken care of and our employees can focus on more important things."

Another important milestone for more efficient handling processes at Frankfurt Airport was achieved in the first quarter of 2017 with the introduction of the door management system at the handling agent FCS Frankfurt Cargo Services. To book a ramp, the forwarder sends a TPA (Transport Pre Announcement) to FAIR@Link. This includes the requested time for loading/unloading, freight information (AWBs), special cargo handling requirements, dangerous goods information, etc. FAIR@Link reviews the data with its relevance to FCS and automatically assigns a slot. Of course, the handling agent can intervene if necessary and make corrections. Just three months after the introduction of the door management system, its success is clearly recognizable, confirms Steffen Kuhn, head of Infrastructure and Quality Management: "We benefit from a more transparent, easy-to-plan handling process that can provide us with the necessary flexibility to deal with the ever-increasing quantity of cargo for the future. The system also brings clear improvements in the process and less work for all truckers."

For Ulrich Wrage, CEO of DAKOSY AG, the increasing number of participants is the main indicator of the platform’s success: "It’s crucial for this location that as many logistics companies as possible participate and a high volume of freight is handled. Meanwhile, most of the major players have been won over and FAIR@Link has become considerably more attractive as a result of its expanded range of functions. We already offer all participants transparent and easy-to-plan handling processes. However, the participation of additional users increases the gains in efficiency for everyone. We see this as a further step in the digitalization of freight handling at Frankfurt Airport. The user feedback indicates that the functionality of the platform makes it a world leader."