Air Austral, a Reunion Island-based French airline, and Unilode Aviation Solutions, the market leader in outsourced unit load device (ULD) management, repair and digital services, have extended their ULD management partnership until 2026.

Unilode has been managing Air Austral’s ULD fleet since 2016. Under the terms of the renewed agreement Unilode will supply lighter weight and more durable digitalised containers for Air Austral to further reduce the fuel costs and CO2 emission of Air Austral’s five wide-body aircraft.

Joseph Brema, Chief Executive Officer, Air Austral, said: "We are very pleased with the renewal of our ULD management partnership with Unilode, particularly at a time when Air Austral is recovering its pre-Covid activity, and even strengthening its offer on some of its long-haul routes. The new digital containers supplied by Unilode will help us reduce our carbon footprint and save on fuel costs, an environmental issue to which Air Austral is particularly sensitive. Our partnership has delivered the expected results over the past six years, and we have been especially pleased with Unilode's commitment, presence and focus on meeting our expectations. We look forward to continuing partnering with Unilode for many years to come."

Ross Marino, Chief Executive Officer, Unilode, said: "It is great to see our airline customers' recovery and growth as the industry bounces back after the pandemic, and we are delighted with Air Austral's decision to extend our ULD management agreement for a further four years. Sustainability is high on Air Austral's agenda and the new lighter weight containers will contribute to reaching its carbon footprint reduction targets. We place great importance on continuous process and performance improvement and customer success, so we are delighted that our efforts are being recognised by Air Austral."