Products
How can we help you?
General Cargo Containers
Perfect for general cargo, express mail and e-commerce freight.
Horse Stalls
Offer a maximum level of animal welfare and groom safety.
Cool Containers
Guarenteed cold supply chain with our series of cool containers.
Collapsible Containers
Where practicality meets expert engineering.
Customised Containers
Create unique containers and pallets for specialised transport
This is VRR
About us
Sustainability
Jobs
Blog
Knowledge Center
Everything about ULDs
Compatibility Search Tool
Certification
Customer Portal
Contact
Products
all items
Products
How can we help you?
General Cargo Containers
Horse Stalls
Cool Containers
Collapsible Containers
Customised Containers
This is VRR
all items
This is VRR
About us Sustainability Jobs Blog
Knowledge Center
all items
Knowledge Center
Everything about ULDs Compatibility Search Tool Certification
Customer Portal
Search
Contact
AAX_Collapsible_plane_2

Meet our collapsible ULDs

Storing and relocating empty ULDs has long been a critical issue for the air cargo industry. The worldwide uld imbalance costs enormous sums of money and causes no end of inconvenience. It also undermines efforts to reduce CO2 emissions.

Our solution to this concern? To create certified air cargo containers that can be folded and stacked when empty. Now you don’t need to leave your ULDs halfway around the world because a return flight is too expensive. And you can take one step closer to zero-carbon flying.

Download the AAX brochure
Get in touch
stackable-line

Stackable

same-volume-line

Same volume

timer-line

Set up 1 minute

Our certified collapsible ULDs

AAXc_small_360x360
AAX-collapsible
(Main deck)

Meet our AAX-collapsible container: an AAX that can be set up and folded down in seconds, yet has the same capacity as a standard AAX

View product
AAY_small_360x360
AAY-collapsible
(Main deck)

Meet our AAY-collapsible container: an AAY that can be set up and folded down in seconds, yet has the same capacity as a standard AAY

View product
AKE grijs
AKE inflatable
(Lower deck)

Meet our AKE-inflatable container: the world's first inflatable solution for Unit Load Devices. Never leave an empty container behind again

View product

Why buy our collapsible containers

cost-efficiency-line
Optimise fleet efficiency
Having the right container in the right place at the right time is essential for operational efficiency. It’s not just about cost. It’s also about not letting your customers down. Our collapsible containers are easy and cost-effective to relocate when empty because they’re stackable.
sustainable-airplain-line
Sustainability goals
Environmental regulations and changing public attitudes are putting considerable pressure on the air cargo industry to reduce its carbon footprint. Using ULDs that maximise volume when full and minimise dimensions when empty supports your environmental initiatives.
storage-space-line
Storage capacity
Finding sufficient storage space in various locations around the world is a constant frustration for ULD fleet managers, particularly when containers are empty. But with a collapsible and stackable container there’s a way to dramatically reduce the amount of valuable space your containers take up when they’re not being used.

Want to see how the collapsibles can solve your operational challenges?

Download our infographic and discover the ways our collapsible containers can make your ULD fleet more responsive to your needs and less costly to store and reposition.

Download the infographic
Thumbnail

A customer's opinion on the collapsibles

Interested in the Collapsibles but unsure it could benefit your ULD operations? If you’ve never used collapsible containers, it’s natural you want convincing. 

There is nothing more reassuring than the honest opinion of a user. So, we asked Jos Jacobson, COO of ACL Airshop, to share his experiences—and those of his customers—of the AAY Collapsible.

Read the article
ACL AAY Collapsibe container

FAQ

 

What is trade imbalence? 

That is quite a difficult phrase to explain, that's why we made a video about it. 

What is a collapsible ULD?
A collapsible container is a Unit Load Device that can be reduced substantially in height when empty. All four panels fold inward to create a flat structure approximately 10 inches high. Once collapsed, these containers can be stacked several units high for storage or repositioning.
How does an air cargo container collapse?
It is quick and safe to collapse one of these innovative containers. Simply release the stud fittings and locks, then fold down the panels, making sure the cover and straps are tucked in neatly. Watch this instruction video to see how easy it is. 
Is a collapsible ULD certified?
Yes, all our collapsible containers comply fully with civil aviation regulations. They are completely airworthy, and they can be restrained directly by the Cargo Loading System of any compatible aircraft.
Are special tools needed to operate a collapsible ULD?

You don’t need any special tools to operate our collapsible containers. It takes just two people and a couple of minutes. However, the panels must be folded and unfolded in the right sequence. Therefore, each container displays an instruction sticker and a QR code, which links to this instruction video. 

What are the advantages of a collapsible ULD?
Collapsible containers can be used to transport cargo in the usual way, but they can also be folded and stacked when you need to store or reposition them. This feature maximises your ULD storage capacity and lets you relocate empty ULDs more efficiently and cost-effectively, which in turn helps rebalance ULD stocks around the world.
Do collapsible ULDs have the same internal volume that a non-collapsible ULD has?
Yes, collapsible containers can carry the same amount of cargo as standard containers.

How do collapsible ULDs contribute to a sustainability strategy?

Our collapsible containers decrease the environmental impact of returning empty ULDs by air or sea. You can return up to six stacked containers on a plane for the same amount of CO2 it takes to return one standard container. If you use a 40ft shipping container to return your containers, that number goes up to eight.
Which VRR ULD come with a collapsible version?
Right now we offer the AAY, the AAX and three horse stalls in a collapsible version. If you are interested in any other ULD types, please let us know. 
Do I need specialised personnel to handle a collapsible ULD?
No specific skills are required to handle our collapsible containers. They are easy and safe to fold down and put back up. But we do advise handlers to first watch the instruction video, which can also be accessed by scanning the QR code on the container.