Cathay Cargo has become the launch customer for Unilode Aviation Solutions’ new Fire Containment Cover (FCC) Leasing Solution, giving the carrier flexible access to certified fire containment equipment without the need to own and manage the assets.
The partnership combines Cathay Cargo’s focus on cargo safety with Unilode’s expertise in aviation asset management. Under the arrangement, Unilode will provide a fully managed leasing service covering the availability, certification, maintenance, repair and lifecycle management of Fire Containment Covers.
The new model is designed to provide airlines and cargo operators with Fire Containment Covers when and where they are required, while reducing the operational complexity associated with purchasing and maintaining their own equipment.
Fire Containment Covers are an important safety measure for air cargo operations, particularly as airlines transport increasing volumes of lithium batteries and other potentially high-risk commodities. Certified containment equipment can help operators meet safety and compliance requirements when handling such cargo.
Unilode said its leasing solution builds on its existing experience in ULD management and fire containment cover maintenance and repair. The service combines global availability, technical support and lifecycle management under a single arrangement.
For Cathay Cargo, the leasing model provides greater flexibility in managing its fire-safety equipment while avoiding the capital investment and inventory-management responsibilities associated with outright ownership.
Tim Wong, General Manager Cargo Service Delivery at Cathay Cargo, said safety remains central to the carrier’s operations and described the leasing solution as a way to access certified equipment supported by comprehensive global management.
Janis Balkens, Chief Operations Officer at Unilode Aviation Solutions, said the solution is intended to give airlines immediate access to certified Fire Containment Covers while reducing the cost and complexity of ownership.
Unilode launched its Fire Containment Cover Leasing Solutions in July 2026, offering flexible leasing options, fully maintained and certified covers, global availability, rapid deployment and ongoing technical support.
The agreement with Cathay Cargo marks the first customer deployment of the new service and represents an expansion of Unilode’s asset-management offering beyond traditional Unit Load Devices.
For the wider air-cargo industry, the initiative reflects a growing focus on outsourced safety equipment, asset visibility and flexible fleet management. As cargo operators face increasingly complex safety and regulatory requirements, managed leasing models could help airlines maintain compliant equipment while controlling capital and maintenance costs.
The partnership therefore represents another step toward more flexible cargo-safety management, with Cathay Cargo becoming the first airline to adopt Unilode’s new Fire Containment Cover leasing model.