Thai Airways partners with Unilode for comprehensive ULD management
Thai Airways, the flag carrier of Thailand, has appointed Unilode Aviation Solutions as a full-service ULD management provider.
This partnership represents a significant milestone in Thai Airways’ transformation journey, strengthening the company’s focus on operational excellence, digital innovation and long-term sustainability across its global network.
After successfully emerging from its business rehabilitation, Thai Airways is now entering a new phase of growth and modernization. The company’s five-year strategic plan focuses on operational excellence, fleet renewal and digital transformation, with the aim of nearly doubling its fleet to approximately 150 aircraft by 2033 and increasing its market share across key international markets.
Working together, Unilode will provide comprehensive ULD management, maintenance, repair and digital tracking services across THAI’s global network. The partnership will enhance fleet utilization, reduce operational complexity, and improve the reliability of passenger and freight operations in Thailand.
The partnership also aligns closely with Thai Airways’ sustainability ambitions. By sharing assets across Unilode’s global network, fewer ULDs are required to support operations, thus reducing raw material consumption, reducing waste, and lowering carbon emissions. Centralized repair and refurbishment operations within the Unilode network extend asset life cycles, support circular economy principles and use resources more responsibly.
“We are pleased and proud to become the full ULD management services provider for Thai Airways,” said Ross Marino, CEO of Unilode Aviation Solutions. “Our partnership will deliver measurable results, improve efficiency, achieve digital transformation, and support Thai Airways’ sustainability ambitions.”
“This collaboration reflects how Unilude’s continued investment in our people, infrastructure and technology strengthens our position as a trusted and preferred partner to airlines globally. Aggregation and full-service management are increasingly recognized as the smartest and most sustainable way to manage ULDs across the aviation industry.”
“Partnering with Unilode is an important step in our transformation strategy. Their expertise, global network and digital solutions will help us streamline operations, enhance reliability and make tangible progress towards our sustainability goals,” added Vera Anong Bokjaman, Head of Cargo and Commercial Mail at Thai Airways.
“Thailand’s transformation is built on strong governance, innovation and partnerships like these that enable us to deliver lasting value to our passengers, shareholders and partners.”
Unilode’s digital platforms and data-driven insights will provide Thai Airways with real-time visibility, optimize asset utilization, and enhance sustainability reporting across its operations. The partnership has additional support from Unilode’s Operations Control Center in Bangkok and a global team of more than 800 ULD experts, ensuring local responsiveness and customer success at every touchpoint.
Over recent years, Unilode has made significant investments across its global network by enhancing its infrastructure, expanding its MRO footprint, and strengthening its employees through advanced training, development, and external education programs. These initiatives, combined with continued innovation in digital technology and product development, enable a broader global network and a larger, more flexible portfolio of assets that deliver greater efficiency, flexibility and service reliability to all airline partners.
“It is a great honor to gain the trust of a local carrier, such as Thai Airways. With our global operations control centers based in Bangkok, and with the largest staff and also global ULD specialists around the world, we are fully committed to providing a world-class ULD management experience for Thai Airways across its operations. added Kathanio Gerachaikul, Vice President of Operations Control Center at Unilode.
Unilode’s expanding asset base across a growing number of airports and regions continues to deliver tangible benefits to its entire customer network – providing improved operational flexibility, faster delivery times, and greater access to resources and repair capabilities. These investments underscore Unilode’s commitment to long-term growth and customer value creation, strengthening its position as a global leader in sustainable ULD management.
As airlines around the world continue to prioritize sustainability and efficiency, ULD assembly and full-service management are quickly becoming the industry standard. Thai Airways’ partnership with Unilode underscores its leadership in adopting innovative and environmentally responsible solutions that combine operational excellence with long-term sustainability.
Explain this model “The pool is now growing to over 200,000 ULDs worldwide – that’s almost a fifth of the world’s ULDs,” said Mohammad Akhlaq, Commercial Director of Unilode. “It’s great to see Thai Airways joining this pool. Hopefully, with the flexibility we offer in the pool – ups and downs, peaks and troughs – where you pay for what you use, it will also bring significant benefits.” From a sustainability perspective where ok.”
