Unilode has launched a fire-containment cover leasing offering as it responds to the growing number of lithium-ion batteries being transported in aircraft.
The ULD specialist said its Fire Containment Cover (FCC) leasing solution will help airlines reduce capital investment and provide operational flexibility to ensure “continuous access to compliant safety equipment”.
Unilode said the solution includes certified and fully maintained fire containment covers; availability throughout its network; end-to-end lifecycle management; rapid deployment and ongoing technical support.
“As airlines and cargo operations continue to evolve and the transportation of lithium batteries and other high-risk goods increases, these flights require reliable, certified fire containment solutions that can be deployed quickly and managed efficiently,” the company explained.
“By eliminating the need to purchase, maintain, and manage FCC inventory, Unilode enables customers to focus on their operations while benefiting from a reliable and compliant fire containment solution.”
Unilode added that as customer demand and regulatory requirements continue to evolve, it would remain committed to developing “innovative solutions that simplify asset management, improve operational resilience and deliver the highest standards of safety and compliance”.
Fire containment is becoming an increasingly important topic for the air cargo market due to the proliferation of lithium-ion batteries.
A UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) report published earlier this year shows that the air cargo industry has seen a 40% increase in the number of thermal runaway incidents since 2021.
In 2021, there were 10 incidents, the ULSE report found, but this had increased to 14 incidents by 2025. There were 13 incidents in 2022, 13 in 2023 and 15 in 2024.
The researcher described the rise as “alarming” and said it mirrored increasing consumer demand for low-cost, battery-powered products.
“Lithium batteries power modern life, but they also present a growing and preventable risk in air cargo,” said Bob McClelland, transportation safety lead at UL Standards & Engagement.
“The rise in incidents is not random — it reflects identifiable gaps in battery quality, shipper awareness, regulatory oversight, and supply chain accountability. These are systemic weaknesses that can and must be better addressed if we want to reverse this troubling trend.”
