Breakdown

Breakdown is the process of removing individual pieces of cargo from a ULD (Unit Load Device) after aircraft arrival and unloading at the destination cargo terminal. The build-up and break-down of unit load devices are the most manpower-intensive operations at air cargo terminals. Breakdown operations typically occur in a warehouse area designed for the processing, break-down/buildup, inspection, and storage of cargo. ULD serviceability checks are required after ULD break-down to maintain continued airworthiness.

A Lufthansa Cargo shipment with AWB 020-12345678 arrives at JFK on flight LH8440 in container AKE-12345. After the ULD is transported from the aircraft to the cargo terminal, warehouse staff perform breakdown by removing individual packages, checking them against the manifest, and sorting them by consignee for pickup or onward delivery. An Emirates SkyCargo consolidated shipment on AWB 176-87654321 arrives in pallet PMC-98765 containing 15 separate consignments for different freight forwarders, requiring complete breakdown and individual piece verification before release.

• ULD breakdown
• cargo breakdown
• de-stuffing
• breakdown cargo

When must ULD breakdown be completed after aircraft arrival?

The IATA Master Operating Plan (MOP) requires breakdown to begin within 2-4 hours of aircraft arrival for standard cargo, with priority shipments processed within 1 hour. Temperature-controlled cargo must be broken down immediately upon ULD removal from aircraft climate systems.

What documentation is required during cargo breakdown operations?

Breakdown requires verification against the ULD Content Declaration (UCD), individual piece checks against the Air Waybill (AWB), damage reporting via the Cargo Incident Report (CIR), and updating of cargo tracking systems with actual piece counts and conditions per IATA Cargo-IMP messaging standards.