Frankfurt Airport launches Smart Pick-up for digital cargo handover
Allivate rolls out paperless import pick-up via FAIR@link, boosting speed, security, and transparency at Frankfurt Airport.
The air cargo IT company allivate has introduced a major digital upgrade to cargo handling at Frankfurt Airport with the launch of Smart Pick-up, a new process designed to replace paper-based documentation with seamless, digital coordination. Implemented through the Cargo Community System FAIR@link, Smart Pick-up enables faster and more secure import shipment handovers by eliminating traditional collection orders in favor of a Digital Authorization for Pick-up.
The system entered its pilot phase at the beginning of May, with prominent logistics players Kühne & Nagel, DB Schenker, CHI Cargo, and LUG taking part. These industry leaders are testing how Smart Pick-up streamlines ground operations and improves end-to-end transparency across the logistics chain. The core improvement lies in replacing the physical pick-up slip with digital authorization data exchanged directly through FAIR@link, allowing for more accurate handovers and better visibility across stakeholders.
Smart Pick-up activates even before the aircraft lands. Pick-up authorization can be granted up to two hours before arrival, meaning critical steps like customs clearance, status checks, and truck slot bookings can begin while the shipment is still airborne. This head start supports a more fluid handover process and reduces unnecessary vehicle trips to the cargo terminal.
According to Martina Schikorr, Managing Director of allivate, “The Digital Authorization for Pick-up represents a major milestone in logistics digitalization at Frankfurt Airport. It not only accelerates cargo handovers but also increases transparency and improves security across the supply chain.”
The check-in process has also become more efficient. Previously, multiple systems had to be accessed to verify pick-up authorization and shipment readiness. Now, all relevant information is consolidated and delivered through one interface, reducing manual work and the potential for errors. DB Schenker’s Head of JETCargo Handling, Nouri Boulahrouz, highlighted the operational benefits: “With Smart Pick-up, digitally authorized parties can collect cargo without needing physical documents, which greatly minimizes risks like forgery or misuse.”
The pilot will continue for two months before transitioning to full-scale deployment in the second half of 2025. Once operational across all of Frankfurt Airport, Smart Pick-up is expected to redefine how cargo is handed over—turning a traditionally paper-heavy process into a secure, efficient, and fully digital experience.
