213,744 tonnes of cargo later, it’s time to reflect on a year of innovation, growth, and commitment to customer service at IAG Cargo’s New Premia facility. The state-of-the-art cargo handling facility has revolutionised the way we handle premium freight, bringing with it increased efficiencies, improved sustainability, and cutting-edge technology.
A Year of Highlights and Milestones
May 2023 officially marked the opening of IAG Cargo’s new home for handling premium freight. The move was eagerly anticipated by the Operations team, who were ready to dive into the facility’s industry-leading technology and infrastructure. This involved the introduction of a new automated Material Handling System (MHS), which enables the seamless processing of cargo courtesy of 162 pallet and container storage destinations, as well as four ‘Transfer Vehicles’ servicing 20 build-and-break workstations. The transition from a largely manual operation to a semi-automated facility paved the way for significant opportunities and improvements. Our operations workforce took part in training and development prior to the facility opening to cargo, including regular forums with existing Premia employees to discuss the project’s progress and the new operating procedures. This proactive approach enabled the team to easily adapt to the new technology, and IAG Cargo quickly began to reap the benefits of New Premia.
A Year of Technological Advancements
The introduction of iCargo, our new warehouse management system (WMS), marked a significant step forward in New Premia’s capabilities. As the first cargo carrier to integrate both mechanical handling systems and airside tasking systems, we’ve seen improved efficiencies in how freight moves through the facility. The new tasking system directs consignments to specific zones depending on their storage requirements, with temperature sensitive products sent to our Constant Climate Quality Centre (CCQC) featuring two cold chambers, a freezer, and 29 ULD storage cold cells. Using the ‘task prioritisation’ feature, iCargo also considers factors such as build times, flight consolidation times, and transit times to ensure we’re focusing on the appropriate tasks at the right moments. By adopting a holistic approach to handling freight, iCargo has redefined efficiency in New Premia which now handles around 310 shipments per day.
Our front-of-house system has also seen massive improvements, now boasting 11 new landside doors for intake, up from just 6 previously. This has yielded improvements in efficiency and customer performance with service times and truck queue times down by 7% and 16%, respectively, in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period a year prior.
A Year of Setting New Standards
New Premia fully integrates all IT systems, a feat that has garnered positive feedback from visiting customers and sparked interest from other carriers. In fact, many are using New Premia as a case study in their own development, a testament to our leading role in technological advancement. With a dedicated data team, we are also able to monitor our operations and produce comprehensive reports that provide valuable insights into area performance within the facility. Transitioning from manual and paper-based reporting, we are now able to generate a wealth of metrics that drive continuous improvement.
The location of New Premia is also a significant advantage, with direct airside access and on-site control posts, greatly improving efficiencies. Moreover, the facility is dedicated to premium and express freight, purpose-built to handle the most critical consignments for customers who require the highest priority. To meet these standards, we have dedicated teams overseeing the professional handling and safe delivery of products. This includes our Constant Climate and Critical Customer Care teams, as well as our Live Animals experts, who are fully trained in animal transport.
New Premia also reflects IAG Cargo’s commitment to sustainability and becoming fit for the future. From using biodegradable plastic wrapping during the construction of units to running the building on air source heat pumps and intelligent LED lighting, every aspect of our operations is designed with environmental responsibility in mind.
Another Year of Moving Forward
As we enter our second year of operation, we are focused on strengthening our culture of continuous improvement. This includes plans to review our people structure in New Premia, moving towards a self-sustaining delivery model with a management team that blends experiences from across industries to deliver sustainable change. Given a standout feature of New Premia is the harmonious blend of technology and human expertise, we are also investigating ways to enhance how our technology operates in tandem with our people in the restless pursuit of greater efficiency. In just one-year, New Premia has proven itself as a game-changer in the air cargo industry. Here’s to many more years of innovation and excellence.
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