Air cargo pallet dimensions and characteristics

Air cargo pallet differ from the popular types of pallets used in road transport, both in terms of their dimensions and construction. In the article, we present the detailed dimensions of aviation pallets, along with a brief description of their characteristics.

What does an aviation pallet look like?

The base of an aviation pallet is constructed of aluminum or plastic. In addition, an additional net is installed to secure the load on it. In general, the idea is to make the pallet as light as possible and not add extra weight on board the aircraft.

Just like containers, aviation pallets have their own ULD (Unit Load Devices) number, which allows for their identification.

Are you also interested in the detailed dimensions of air containers? Check out our article: Air containers – dimensions and characteristics.

Aviation pallet dimensions

Air cargo pallets – characteristics

Lightweight: A key aspect of air cargo pallets is their light weight. The use of aluminium or plastic instead of wood helps to reduce the weight of the pallet itself, which is important in terms of fuel savings and air transport costs.
Durability: Despite their low weight, air cargo pallets must be characterized by a high level of strength. Aluminium and high-quality plastic provide adequate resistance to mechanical damage and weather conditions.
Safety: An additional net or cover to secure the load protects it from movement and damage during flight. In addition, the ULD number allows pallets to be accurately identified and tracked throughout the transport process.

Use of air cargo pallets

Air cargo pallets are commonly used in international transport, where speed of delivery and optimization of cargo space are important. They are used both in the transport of commercial goods, as well as courier shipments and the transport of specialized cargo.

Innovations in air cargo pallet design

Modern technologies are influencing the development of air cargo pallet construction, introducing innovative materials and solutions. For example, some pallet models use carbon composites, which offer even greater strength with minimal weight. In addition, the development of smart pallets with built-in sensors makes it possible to monitor transport conditions such as temperature, humidity and geographical location. This allows carriers to provide an even higher level of safety and security for the transported goods, as well as to react faster to any problems during transport.