Jettainer picks Trackonomy IoT system for global ULD tracking upgrade

Jettainer has signed a long-term partnership with Trackonomy to roll out a new IoT tracking system across its global ULD fleet, aiming to give airlines and cargo customers real-time visibility of equipment movements.

Announced on 13 November in Frankfurt and San Jose, the deal sets out a plan to modernise ULD tracking and streamline operations across airports and logistics hubs.

The companies said the move responds to gaps in current systems that depend on fixed readers at airports, which often leave blind spots.

Trackonomy’s hybrid setup will combine LoRa and BLE readers at major stations with cellular-enabled units that act as mobile readers through meshing technology. This is designed to create a network that captures more location data and shortens search and recovery times for misplaced containers and pallets.

Jettainer said the deeper data layer will also help improve fleet planning and lifecycle management by showing how long ULDs remain at each point in the network. The company expects the information to support wider process improvements and reduce disruptions linked to missing equipment.

“Tracking has become a critical factor in air cargo operations to monitor and control supply chains and respond proactively to irregularities,” said Dr Jan-Wilhelm Breithaupt, CEO of Jettainer.

“It’s essential for us to lead with reliable and forward-looking technology. While BLE and LoRa have been the standard so far, the integration of cellular connectivity and meshing technology marks a significant step forward. Together with Trackonomy, we are driving innovation in ULD tracking to deliver more transparency, efficiency, and intelligence to our customers. Trackonomy, based in Silicon Valley, the globally leading ecosystem of innovative companies, start-ups, venture capitalists, and research institutions, is the ideal partner for this journey.”

Trackonomy CEO Erik Volkerink said the company’s systems already handle large shipment volumes. “Our platform today orchestrates over 15 million shipments every day,” he said.

“The scale of growth we’re experiencing is mind-boggling—based on signed contracts, our technology will soon power more than 200 million reusable transportation items, including close to 20% of all ULDs worldwide. Behind the scenes, we’re becoming the de facto standard for scalable, reliable, and industrial-grade digital transformation across logistics. Collaborations with forward-thinking partners like Jettainer are key to realising that vision.”

Jettainer said the partnership aligns with its wider digital strategy and its work managing more than 100,000 ULDs at around 500 locations. The company operates as a subsidiary of Lufthansa Cargo and offers a range of services, including maintenance, repair, and ULD leasing.