Discover the essential equipment required at major airports for successful cargo charter operations.

Use: Loading and unloading cargo containers and pallets.

Container loaders, often called "K-loaders," are the workhorses of cargo handling. Hydraulic platforms such as the FMC Commander 15 – along with competing lines from manufacturers like TLD and JBT AeroTech – lift cargo containers and pallets to the aircraft's cargo hold, aligning with the aircraft's roller-equipped floor system for smooth transfer. Capable of handling up to roughly 15 tons, K-loaders are critical for wide-body freighters like the Boeing 747-400BCF.

Example: Antonov Airlines' AN-124-100-150 freighters have flown some of the largest single pieces of outsized cargo in the industry – including a Siemens Energy power sub-station "E-house" from Turkey to Germany – loaded and secured using heavy-lift ground equipment built for exactly this kind of oversized freight.

Use: Towing aircraft and ground equipment.

Aircraft tugs, such as the Goldhofer AST-1X or the Eagle Tugs TT series, are vital for moving freighters to and from cargo ramps. These powerful vehicles can tow aircraft weighing up to roughly 600,000 pounds, keeping apron operations moving. Tractors also transport dollies, baggage carts, and other ground equipment.

Pro tip: electric, towbarless tugs like the Mototok Spacer are gaining ground for their maneuverability and lower operating costs.

Use: Transporting cargo between terminals and aircraft.

Cargo dollies from ULD-equipment manufacturers such as Nordisk Aviation Products move Unit Load Devices (ULDs) and loose cargo across the apron. Designed with weather-resistant curtains and brake systems, these dollies keep cargo secure in all conditions, while pallet transporters handle standardized pallets on their way to the K-loader.

Use: Providing electrical power to aircraft on the ground.

Ground Power Units, such as the ITW GSE 2400, supply 400Hz AC and DC power to parked aircraft, powering onboard systems without running the aircraft's own engines. This cuts fuel burn and emissions on the ground, aligning with airports' broader sustainability goals.

Trend: solid-state, higher-efficiency GPUs are increasingly standard at major international hubs as airports push toward lower-emission ground operations.

Use: Handling heavy and oversized cargo in warehouses.

Forklifts such as the Toyota 8-Series (roughly 3.5–8 tons) and the Hyster H190XD high-capacity line (roughly 8.6–13 tons) are indispensable in cargo terminals for moving pallets and heavy machinery, handling everything from engine components to industrial equipment.

Case in point: in January 2020, AirBridgeCargo carried out a trial loading of a GE9X – the world's largest jet engine – aboard a Boeing 747-8 freighter, using pallets, cranes, and specialized ground handling equipment to secure it, completing loading in just seven minutes.

Use: Screening cargo for security threats.

Security is paramount in cargo charter operations. Advanced X-ray systems, like the Smiths Detection HI-SCAN 100100T, and explosive trace detectors, such as the Itemiser 4DX line, screen cargo for explosives, narcotics, and prohibited items, in line with FAA, TSA, and IATA requirements.

Data point: under the U.S. 9/11 Commission Act, TSA has required 100% screening of cargo transported on passenger aircraft since August 2010 – a standard that has driven widespread adoption of this equipment at major airports.

Use: Preserving perishable and pharmaceutical cargo.

Cold storage units and refrigerated dollies, like those from Envirotainer, maintain precise temperatures for perishables, vaccines, and other sensitive cargo – critical for airports handling high volumes of pharmaceutical shipments.