Hamburg Airport is set to mandate the use of the FAIR@Link Cargo Community System at its cargo centre from August 4, 2025, marking a significant step towards fully digitalising its air freight operations. Developed by the Hamburg-based software company Dakosy, this platform aims to streamline and optimise handling and customs processes for all parties involved in air cargo – including handling agents, freight forwarders, truckers, and airlines.
The introduction of FAIR@Link is intended to standardise air cargo operations across the airport, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and sustainability. By 2026, the system will become compulsory for the pre-declaration of all air cargo shipments, enabling freight forwarders to pre-declare shipments and allowing handling agents to better plan their capacities in advance. The platform also facilitates the preparation and automatic electronic submission of export customs declarations as consignments enter Hamburg Airport’s customs zone, effectively reducing errors and eliminating duplicate data entry.
The adoption of FAIR@Link addresses critical operational challenges, including growing cargo volumes and a shortage of skilled workers. Wisag Cargo, one of the handling agents, joined the system ahead of the rollout to benefit from earlier visibility of incoming consignments, which reduces inefficiencies related to manual paperwork and delays. Ingo Veihl, Managing Director of Wisag Cargo, highlighted that the system enables them to know shipment details much earlier and avoid redundant data handling.
Since its pilot inception in 2019, FAIR@Link has been gradually rolled out, and all key handling agents at Hamburg Airport, including LUG and Swissport Cargo, are now onboard. Dirk Gladiator, Managing Director of the software developer Dakosy, emphasised the necessity of connecting all handling agents for a standardised, location-wide digital cargo handling process. Alexander Müller, Head of Office & Logistics at Hamburg Airport, expressed optimism about the airport’s future capacity, pointing to a 39% growth in freight volume last year that reached 65,400 tonnes. Müller noted, “With the Cargo Community System, we are enabling the more efficient use of existing capacities through foresighted planning and digital collaboration. We are thus positioning Hamburg Airport as an efficient and future-oriented air freight location.”
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the introduction of FAIR@Link. Jens Sorgenfrei, board member of the Hamburg Freight Forwarders Association, remarked on the platform’s role in creating a robust foundation for collaborative air freight processing, stating that it brings all parties—from freight forwarders to authorities—onto a common digital platform.
The FAIR@Link system, a neutral and IT-supported air cargo community solution, supports and automates a wide range of processes beyond customs, including security checks, dangerous goods handling, and supply chain management. Its implementation is expected to significantly reduce handling and waiting times, minimise human error, and lower operational costs by eliminating redundant paperwork and data entry.
Hamburg Airport stands out as one of the first German airports to fully implement such a comprehensive digital cargo system, aligning with broader industry trends towards digitalisation and greater operational efficiency. The platform’s capacity to enable the booking of delivery time slots by forwarders further contributes to smoother cargo movements and improved logistical coordination, which is particularly important given the rapid growth in air freight volumes the airport has experienced.
Overall, the mandatory integration of FAIR@Link represents a forward-thinking investment in technology that not only enhances operational efficiency but also supports sustainable growth, a priority for Hamburg Airport as it navigates increasing air freight demands in a competitive European market.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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