How an air cargo handler added airside cold storage at Orlando International

An air cargo handler in Orlando, FL needed air cargo cold storage airside at Orlando International. Perishable cargo has no tolerance for a gap in the cold chain, and an airport has no tolerance for a construction site. ZGROUP delivered a ZSTORE 2XL with cooler and freezer zones, approved for airport use, without disrupting cargo operations.

The challenge

Perishables arriving by air need to go cold the moment they come off the aircraft. Any gap between the plane and a temperature-controlled space puts the cargo at risk.

The handler needed more cold capacity airside, where cargo is handled. That ruled out a traditional build. Construction airside would have disrupted the cargo operation it was meant to serve, and the equipment had to meet airport requirements.

The handler also needed its new freezer area quickly. A permanent build airside would have meant design, approvals and a construction schedule before any cargo could go cold.

The solution

ZGROUP delivered a ZSTORE 2XL, two connected ZSTORE XL modular cold storage modules forming one 640 ft² space. The system was set up with two zones:

• Cooler zone for chilled perishables.
• Freezer zone for frozen cargo.

The unit was approved for airport use and went in without disrupting cargo operations. Modular units need no civil works or permanent construction, which is what makes them workable airside.

A 2XL is also a starting point, not a ceiling. Because XL modules connect side by side, capacity can be extended with more modules if volumes grow, without replacing what is already in place.

The results

• 640 ft² of floor area
• Dual temp: cooler + freezer
• Fast new freezer area

The handler added cold and frozen capacity where the cargo is, while the cargo kept moving.

What air cargo cold storage needs to deliver

Air cargo cold storage has a different job than a warehouse cooler. It has to be close to the aircraft, ready fast, and flexible enough to handle whatever the next flight brings. Here is what to look for.

• Location. The closer cold capacity is to the cargo flow, the shorter the gap in the cold chain. Modular units can be placed where they are needed.
• Multiple temperatures. ZSTORE XL zones can run at different temperatures, so chilled and frozen cargo can share one system.
• Speed without disruption. ZGROUP delivers in under 60 days and installs in 2 to 5 days, with minimal site prep.
• Right-sized capacity. One XL unit is 320 ft² with about 20 pallet positions, and modules connect side by side as volume grows.
• Visibility. ZTRACK provides remote monitoring of temperature and alarms.

Because XL modules share the space, fewer refrigeration units are needed per square foot than with single containers. Units are available to rent or to buy, can be moved and reinstalled at another site, and carry a 5-year warranty.

Airport approval is part of the project, not an afterthought. Equipment that goes airside has to meet the airport's requirements, so it pays to work with a supplier that has delivered cold storage in that environment before, as ZGROUP did here.

What is airport cold storage?

Airport cold storage is temperature-controlled space at or near the airport that keeps perishable cargo, such as fresh produce, flowers, seafood or pharmaceuticals, cold between the aircraft and the next leg of its journey. Because airside space is limited and construction disrupts operations, modular rooms that arrive ready to run and connect cooler and freezer zones are a practical fit.

See how ZSTORE XL modular cold storage works, or browse more cold storage projects in Florida.

Is it right for your operation?

If your cargo operation needs cooler or freezer space close to the aircraft and cannot stop for construction, modular capacity can fill the gap. Explore ZSTORE XL modular cold storage or talk to our team about your airside needs.