Air France KLM Martinair Cargo unveils ‘Cargo ToolBox’ app

The KLM Cargo Compliance Knowledge Centre (CKC) has developed a unique app for the airfreight industry, which can be used for so-called co-loading segregation checks, for instance, for dangerous goods, based on IATA norms. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo will be the first airline to start using this ‘Cargo Toolbox’ app and will make it available to all others in the sector, free of charge.

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is setting trends in awareness, but also pioneering tools needed to address key compliance and safety themes in the airfreight industry.

Based on the app-within-an-app approach, KLM Cargo’s CKC previously launched the ‘Mr. Beam’ app, a handy tool for pallet builders worldwide. The Cargo Toolbox app now also includes the co-loading instructions app, which makes use of machine learning (a form of artificial intelligence) to ensure that the app becomes increasingly adept at recognising symbols, as it is used more frequently.

The ‘Cargo Toolbox’ app has been specifically designed for airfreight employees worldwide, whose duties include segregating cargo. “In this way, KLM Cargo hopes to improve safety throughout the cargo chain, addressing key compliance and safety themes. This can only be achieved together with the entire cargo community, which means handling companies as well airlines. It doesn’t matter who you work for,” says Kester Meijer, director - Operational Integrity, Compliance and Safety at KLM Cargo.

“We believe it is important to get knowledge out onto the work floor as quickly and clearly as possible, without having to consult manuals that are often heavy and complex. The manuals containing relevant information aren’t always in easy reach, which is why we came up with the app.”

There are already plans to expand ‘Cargo Toolbox’. Kester Meijer explains: “We want to create a lost and-found app next year. If you encounter a package drifting around, simply scan the barcode sticker and get the information you need.”

The app gives cargo staff an on-the-job tool. One can download the ‘Cargo Toolbox’ from the App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android). Once it has been downloaded, the app automatically adopts the language settings of the user’s phone.