Cargo & Mail Ground Handling
Ground Operations & Airport Services › Baggage Operations · 16 L4 steps · 5 phases · 9 decision gates · Updated 2026-03-19 14:19
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Process Flow Diagram (BPMN)
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L4 Process Steps
| Step | Step Name | Role / Swim Lane | System | Input | Output | KPI | Dec? | Exc? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Phase 1 1.1 |
Receive cargo booking and AWB data | Cargo Acceptance Agent | CHAMP Cargospot Handling | Air Waybill (AWB), shipper booking request, commodity declaration | Booking record created in cargo management system | Acceptance processing time ≤15 min per shipment | N | N |
| 1.2 | Validate AWB, weight, dimensions, and piece count | Cargo Acceptance Agent | CHAMP Cargospot Handling | Physical cargo presented at acceptance counter, AWB data | Validated weight/dimension record; discrepancy notice if mismatch | AWB discrepancy rate ≤2%; re-weigh resolution ≤10 min | Y | Y |
| 1.3 | Screen shipment for dangerous goods compliance | DG Acceptance Agent | Hazcheck by Exis Technologies | Commodity code, shipper's DG declaration, MSDS where applicable | DG acceptance confirmation or rejection notice with IATA DGR citation | Undeclared DG detection rate = 100%; DG non-compliance rejection logged within 5 min | Y | Y |
| 1.4 | Submit ACAS pre-screening data for US-bound cargo | Cargo Security Supervisor | ACAS (CBP Air Cargo Advance Screening) | AWB data, commodity details, shipper/consignee identifiers | ACAS submission confirmation; Do Not Load (DNL) or cleared status from CBP | ACAS submission ≥4h before departure per 19 CFR 122.48a; CBP response latency typically <2 min | Y | Y |
Phase 2 2.1 |
Physically screen cargo via X-ray or ETD | Cargo Security Officer | Smiths Detection HI-SCAN 10080 XCT | Accepted and DG-cleared shipment presented at screening station | Screened cargo with TSA/TCAS security clearance label | 100% of cargo screened before loading per TSA 12-5 CCSF programme; throughput ≥600 kg/h per lane | Y | Y |
| 2.2 | Assign screened cargo to flight and ULD position | Cargo Load Planner | IBS Software iCargo | Screened shipment data, aircraft load plan from load control, ULD inventory | ULD assignment record with build-up instructions and position code | ULD utilisation ≥85% by volume; assignment issued ≥3h before STD | N | Y |
| 2.3 | Build ULD, palletise cargo, and apply labels | Cargo Warehouse Agent | CHAMP Cargospot ULD Control | Build-up instructions, cargo, ULD/pallet, netting, and tiedown equipment | Completed ULD with IATA ULD tag, gross weight, and content manifest | Build-up accuracy (correct ULD manifest) ≥98%; ULD gross weight tolerance ±0.5% of declared | Y | Y |
Phase 3 3.1 |
Generate and transmit final cargo manifest (FFM) | Cargo Operations Controller | SITA e-freight | Completed ULD manifest records, AWB data, flight details | FFM Cargo-IMP message transmitted to destination station, customs, and ground handler | FFM transmitted ≥45 min before STD per IATA Cargo-IMP MSG standard; retransmission on amendment ≤5 min | N | Y |
| 3.2 | Transport ULDs and bulk cargo to aircraft ramp | Ramp Agent / Cargo Driver | SITA Airport Management System (AMS) | Ramp movement instruction, airside vehicle assignment, ULD ready notification | ULD delivered to aircraft position on time; vehicle movement logged | Cargo at aircraft ≥30 min before STD; ramp vehicle utilisation ≥80% | N | Y |
| 3.3 | Load cargo into aircraft hold per load instruction report | Loadmaster / Senior Ramp Agent | Jeppesen LoadPlanner | Load Instruction Report (LIR) from load control, ULDs and bulk cargo on ramp | Completed loading; signed LIR returned to load control; actual weights confirmed | Loading completion ≥15 min before STD; W&B CG deviation ≤2% of planned; LIR sign-off accuracy 100% | Y | Y |
Phase 4 4.1 |
Offload cargo from arriving aircraft hold | Ramp Agent | SITA Airport Management System (AMS) | Aircraft arrival confirmation, inbound load manifest (FWB/FFM from origin) | Offloaded ULDs and bulk cargo staged on ramp with position labels | ULD offload complete ≤35 min after chocks-on; bulk hold clear ≤25 min | N | Y |
| 4.2 | Break down inbound ULDs and scan all pieces | Cargo Warehouse Agent | CHAMP Cargospot Handling | Inbound ULD with origin manifest | Individual shipment scan records; discrepancy report if count/condition mismatch | Breakdown and scan complete ≤60 min after offload; discrepancy rate ≤1%; cargo claim initiation ≤15 min of confirmed shortage | Y | Y |
| 4.3 | Transmit arrival notices to consignees and forwarders | Cargo Customer Service Agent | IBS Software iCargo | Breakdown scan records, AWB consignee and notify-party contact data | Arrival Notices (ANs) transmitted via EDI/email to all notified parties | Arrival notice sent ≤2h after breakdown; automated AN rate ≥95% of AWBs with complete contact data | N | Y |
Phase 5 5.1 |
File customs entry and e-manifest for inbound cargo | Customs Coordinator | CargoWise One | AWB, commodity data, commercial invoice, country of origin certificate | Customs entry filed; Movement Reference Number (MRN) or CBP release reference received | Customs pre-clearance filing ≥2h before aircraft arrival per EU ICS2 and CBP advance cargo rules; entry acceptance rate ≥97% | Y | Y |
| 5.2 | Present cargo for customs physical examination if selected | Customs Examination Agent | SITA Airport Management System (AMS) | CBP or customs authority examination order; cargo held in bonded warehouse | Cargo presented at examination bay; examination result recorded | Cargo presented at examination bay ≤4h of exam order; examination completion ≤8h for non-complex shipments | N | Y |
| 5.3 | Release and deliver cargo to consignee upon clearance | Cargo Delivery Agent | CHAMP Cargospot Handling | Customs release confirmation, consignee photo ID and delivery order | Signed delivery receipt; cargo released from airline/handler custody; AWB closed | Dwell time ≤24h for general cargo; ≤4h for perishables and pharmaceuticals (IATA CEIV Pharma benchmark); delivery receipt accuracy 100% | Y | N |
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