Publications

Nordisk Aviation (Nordisk), a leading provider of Unit Load Devices (ULDs), has signed an agreement with Emirates for the procurement of advanced fire-resistant AKE containers for baggage and cargo.

For generations, our competent engineers have continually improved our products and set new industry standards. We have made our containers stronger and we have made them lighter. Now we are making them safer.

The PSA (61.5” x 88”) all-aluminium ETSO certified pallet weighs 46 kg and is based on our proven pallet concepts.

Nordisk proudly presents the long awaited FireShield™+, which represents years of dedicated research into cargo fires and fire protection technology. Shipping Lithium batteries has become a significant problem for airlines over recent years, due to the intrinsic risk of thermal runaway and the extensive use of lithium batteries in all kinds of products.

Nordisk recently launched the AKE TwinLite UX. This series of containers is built with Nordisk´s newest and lightest X frame extrusion family and the standard design with a fabric door has a manufactured weight of just 55kg.

For over half a century, Nordisk has been at the forefront of the air cargo industry and the last ten years have been no exception. Nordisk has delivered more industry breakthroughs focusing on bringing the latest technology to our industry, whilst also finding solutions to the challenges that the cargo industry faces. Examples include our new range of FireShield™ containers, Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) tracking technology and the introduction of the world’s lightest container! We have also expanded our activities in China and reached the landmark of seliing over 800,000 ULDs.

Nordisk continually seeks ways to improve products and production processes. We have recently invested in a new robotic assembly cell at our Norwegian plant in Holmestrand, which will pre-assemble container doors, walls and roof panels, hence reducing assembly time at our MRO’s, and thereby also delivery time to our customers.

At Nordisk, we aim to make air transport easy. By working closely together with customers, and understanding the way they and their businesses work, we can continually improve the products and services we offer.

Over the last 50 years, we have seen a great many changes in the air cargo industry, but particularly in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In this period, we moved from a welded design, that had set the industry standard for strength and durability for over 25 years, to a new non-welded design. Also, as fuel costs increased, so did focus on weight and fuel savings, as well as environmental footprint, leading to the introduction of a whole new series of lightweight containers. Nordisk also expanded globally. Having dominated the Far Eastern market since the early 1970s, we finally opened our first factory in China in 2005.

50 years and 800,000 ULDs later! Since the first Nordisk Pallet was certified in 1972, Nordisk has made revolutionary breakthroughs in ULD technology and changed the face of the market with regard to weight and strength ratio. Read how we did it here:

In April 2019, Nordisk received final EASA approval for its latest AKE. Combining a new composite panel material, with a new 7000-alloy hollow-frame design and a new lighter base, the new AKE Ultralite X weighs in at 49 kg (108 lbs), 6 kg (13.23 lbs) lighter than the current Nordisk AKE and considerably lighter than any other AKE on the market today.

At the end of May, Nordisk proudly held the official opening ceremony of its new factory in Kunshan, China. Customers and suppliers attended along with members of the Nordisk management team, represented by Richard Betts, Atle Lohne, Jon Anders Naess and Nils Martin Teien.

Nordisk Aviation Products works closely together with customers to find solutions to their individual needs and requirements and recently developed an integrated pallet-edge rail solution for digital tags for Unilode Aviation Solutions.

In 2019, Nordisk Aviation Products celebrates 50 years in the air cargo industry. Since 1969, we have designed, developed and manufactured over 800,000 state-of-the-art Unit Load Devices (ULDs) and are global leader in our field. We supply almost every wide-bodied aircraft in the world and have the most extensive range of air cargo pallets and containers on the market today.

Nordisk has successfully completed a full-scale fire-test of the FireShield AAY/LAY main container, conducted by a highly accredited European test center, in accordance with paragraph 6.3 of ISO 19281:2016, “Air Cargo – Fire resistant containers – Design, performance and testing requirements”.

We pride ourselves on our ability to customise ULD solutions to customers’ individual needs and requirements, often with demanding time-lines. One such example is a recent project which involves the delivery of 30 customer tailored containers for high value cargo and equipment. The program involves ULDs in 3 different sizes and 9 different interior and door configurations, all certified to NAS3610.

Over the last 50 years, Nordisk has worked to develop and supply efficient, reliable and safe ULD solutions that make air cargo easy. We pride ourselves on a high level of service and satisfied customers across the globe.

After months of hard work and planning, we are excited to announce the opening of Nordisk’s new, state-of-the-art, 7000 m2 factory located at “Plainvim Park”, on the northern side of Kunshan, China. Considerable investments have been made in new machinery, increased storage capacity and improved assembly space. We began the move in November and expect to be completely relocated by the end of the year.

Over recent years, the air cargo industry has seen a huge increase in shipments of lithium-based batteries across the globe. The popularity of these compact batteries has understandably exploded. They contain an impressive amount of energy relative to their size. The raw materials are affordably priced and readily available. It is no surprise that lithium batteries are so popular among producers and users of renewable energy, mobile devices and electronic consumer products. They are everywhere. But; they also present a serious fire risk which is of great concern, particularly for the aviation industry.

Earlier this year, Nordisk announced a joint agreement with Core Transport Technologies to co-market COREInsight Tracking, a ULD tracking solution that uses Bluetooth® Low Energy Technology to track ULD equipment throughout airports and airline related facilities.

Innovation and continual improvement is a main priority at Nordisk and we are always looking for new ways to improve quality, increase efficiency, reduce lead times and generally offer a better all-round service to our customers. Fueled by the positive growth trend we are currently witnessing in both freight and commercial business units, we have recently made a number of improvements to our Norwegian production facilities.

Nordisk launches its 3rd generation lightweight AKH container. The new Nordisk Lite AKH is a robust ULD design incorporating the same stringent standards as all Nordisk ULDs, but offering an additional 5 kg weight saving compared to its predecessors. In addition, focus had been on creating a smooth internal finish with few protruding parts, making the new AKH container perfect for vulnerable/fragile cargos. AKH containers can be used on all narrow body Airbus aircraft A319, A320 and A321 with a cargo loading system (CLS) installed.

In May 2018, Nordisk successfully sold its 800,000th ULD since our first steps into the ULD world in 1970. The proud purchaser was ULD management and repair provider Unilode, who we presented with a special decal on the AKE container. Richard Betts met with Benoît Dumont, Unilode CEO, in Unilode’s repair centre in London, to mark the occasion and extend our gratitude.

Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) began flight operations to the United States in 1985, and is the only international cargo airline based in Japan. With a corporate philosophy emphasizing safe operations as their first priority, NCA has an impressive accident-free track record throughout their history. Today, NCA operates regular flights to 15 cities in Asia, the United States and Europe with a fleet of five Boeing 747-400Fs and Eight Boeing 747-8Fs. They have expanded their worldwide network through cooperation with both domestic and international partner airlines, and have global charter flight services, taking advantage of the features of wide-body freighters.

We are all too familiar with the way ULDs are treated, or should we say mistreated, and we all have pictures, like this one, of yet another victim of a “mishandling moment”. 

In January 2018, we welcomed Richard Betts as the new President of Nordisk Aviation Products. Richard has held various roles in Bridport Aviation (now Amsafe Bridport) since 2003 and his extensive experience and expertise in the air cargo industry will be a valuable resource both for our customers and the Nordisk team.

Is Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology the breakthrough the air cargo industry has been waiting for? For those of us who have spent hundreds, even thousands, of hours discussing RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and how it can be applied to locate ULDs, it’s music to our ears that a new solution is on the horizon.

In March, Dallas hosted the IATA World Cargo Symposium, the annual flagship conference of the cargo industry. For three days, over 1000 delegates (possibly a record) ate, drank, and talked air cargo. As always, Nordisk was in place to discuss the future of the air cargo industry.

Nordisk Aviation Products a.s announced in conjunction with CORE Transport Technologies Inc., a joint agreement to co-market COREInsight Tracking.

Nordisk is participating at Air Cargo Europe/Transport Logistic in Munich, Germany, 5 - 8 May.  Visit us at stand 349, hall B1.

Innovative Lite product line contributes to fuel savings and reduced emissions

Nordisk has been a leading supplier of ULDs for many years, and this year marks 40 years since Nordisk received its first NAS3610 approval.

AAR Expands Into New-Build Market With Telair, Nordisk Acquisitions.

Nordisk is happy to participate at the 9th World Cargo Symposium and are pleased to be one of the sponsors of this important event which is taking place in Shanghai this upcoming March 10 - 12.

TransDigm announced a definitive agreement to purchase Nordisk and Telair from AAR CORP.

ULD repair training help improve speed and accuracy

Nordisk Aviation Products to Customize 2,000 Air Cargo Containers to Match Air New Zealand’s Livery.

Nordisk AMV containers will maximize air freight capacity and utilization on A330-200F

Hosted in Budapest by Air Cargo News, the 15th Freighters and Belly Cargo World Conference provides the forum for industry debate on the key themes facing the industry.

The 18th International Exhibition for Airport Equipment, Technology, Design & Services ended with excellent results, also for Nordisk.

Chinese carrier Xiamen Airlines goes lightweight with Nordisk ULDs.

Nordisk helps Korean save fuel with lightweight aluminium containers

Nordisk offers assembly training to MROs all over the world

Leading international provider of advanced ULDs help China Postal Airlines maximize air freight capacity on B737 freighter fleet

Will bring us closer to our global customer's day-to-day cargo operation.

Ground Handling International has done an Environmental Supplement on the industry's environmental progress. In the GSE section they also looked briefly at the ULD industry.

New distribution center will enable us to progressively meet the needs of our growing customer base.

The Airbus Corporate Foundation has coordinated 10 humanitarian and relief flights worldwide. Nordisk Aviation Products has supported the foundation since 2009.

Nordisk Aviation Products has begun delivery of more than 2,600 light weight air cargo containers to Turkish Airlines.

The fleet replacement program will help the airline save a minimum 77,600 kg on its ULD fleet

The year 2010 marks the 20th anniversary of the IATA Strategic Partnerships (SP) program.

The 23rd IULDUG Annual General Meeting was held at Grand Hotel in Oslo, Norway from 13 - 16 September, and was hosted by Nordisk Aviation Products.

The easy way to save fuel and emission costs

In 1970 the Boeing 747, the first widebody aircraft, enters service and kick-starts a new industry - the ULD industry.

Nordisk Aviation Products has begun delivery of 900 Nordisk light weight air cargo containers, also known as Unit Load Devices, or ULDs. The Nordisk container is used by commercial airlines to efficiently store and transport cargo and luggage.

The Nordisk FRCs have proven capable of containing an on-board fire for up to six (6) hours of flight.

Detailed information on local closure dates.

Nordisk begins delivery of more than 3,000 containers for commercial fleet management program

Philippines’ largest flag carrier, Cebu Pacific Air (PSE:CEB), has selected Nordisk to provide its wide-body aircraft with lightweight ULDs. The choice of Nordisk will achieve the best fuel economy and greatest reductions in CO2.

Nordisk's new fire resistant ULD concept will be on display.

An exiting week in Munich is over. Thank you for visiting, hope to see you again soon!

The facility in Kunshan, China will shut down from 28th Sep to 6th Oct for Chinese National Holiday.

Low-cost carrier cuts fuel cost with the world's lightest AKE container

The airline saves close to 30% in weight with the new lightweight containers.

LATAM will achieve great fuel and emission savings with lightweight containers.

Learn about our extensive range of air cargo pallets and containers, and how we can help you reduce your operating costs.

At WCS Environmental Track, Bob Rogers talks about ULDs and environmentally friendly practices to cargo operations.

The certification of Nordisk containers and pallets is the first CTSOA for an EU product under this agreement.

Nordisk welcomes the recent publication of IATA’s ULD Regulations as an important initiative in the long term development of the ULD industry.

Nordisk is strengthening its position as a leading supplier of air cargo container with a new and technologically advanced production line at the factory in Norway.

Fourth and final batch of Finnair's 700 Nordisk Ultralite 55kg delivered in Hong Kong.

The new containers will save approximately 800,000 kilograms in fuel and more than 2.5 million kilograms of CO2 annually.

The 26th international Air Cargo Forum and Exposition is held Tuesday, October 2nd through Thursday, October 4th in Atlanta.