FAIR@Link goes live at Hamburg Airport

The FAIR@Link portal has gone live for air cargo handling at Hamburg Airport Cargo Center after a six-month test phase.

Hamburg Airport head of cargo Alexander Müller said: “The new platform is an important step into the digital future for us. With FAIR@Link, we can significantly improve handling processes and manage the increasing volume of traffic on the ground more efficiently.

“At the same time, we increase sustainability and promote environmentally compatible growth for the location.”

The platform was developed by Dakosy, which also operates the community systems for the Port of Hamburg and Frankfurt Airport.

A Dakosy spokesperson said: “Using FAIR@Link, freight forwarders can book time slots for deliveries, resulting in shorter waiting and handling times, more transparency along the transport chain and improved documentation for handling agents, who no longer need to re-enter duplicate data – thus avoiding mistakes and saving time.

“A particular advantage of digitalization is that the system can prepare export Customs declarations and then automatically submit the electronic forms to Customs upon entry to the Hamburg Airport Customs Office geofence area.”

Jens Sorgenfrei, managing director of Cross Freight Internationale, one of the forwarders in the system pilot at Hamburg, said: “Transports pre-registered via FAIR@Link are handled preferentially by the handling agents at the airport. The slot bookings save us several hours every day. Processes are easier to plan. All in all, we benefit in Customs and door clearances.”

Jürgen Vogt, managing director of cargo handler LUG, said: “With slot booking, our EDP system receives all information before the arrival of the goods. The data does not have to be entered again when the document is received.

“This enables us to save a lot of time and speed up the receiving process. With FAIR@Link, we gain more transparency into all processes and can better manage our capacities with regard to door and personnel availability.”

Ulrich Wrage, chief executive of Dakosy, said: “Through connectivity and intelligent process support, FAIR@Link can optimize the physical processes between companies and achieve significantly faster and more transparent processing.

“In addition, the platform promotes ecological concerns, as optimized traffic management and reduced check-in and waiting times lead to CO2 savings. And it saves paper, too.”