AviusULD, a global leader in ULD innovation and a CCE Group company, has won the Crystal Cabin Award 2026 in the Cabin Technologies category for its Smart Cabin Fire Tag solution.
The award was presented during the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, where Klaus Hofmann, Group CEO of CCE Group, and Floris Kleijn, Director of Digital Solutions at AviusULD, accepted the award on behalf of AviusULD, CCE Group, and eloc8.
The Smart Cabin Fire Tag, developed in cooperation with eloc8, is a compact sensor designed to monitor overhead bins and detect lithium-ion battery off-gassing up to two hours before a fire. By identifying the affected compartment early, the system enables faster crew response and helps prevent escalation into a critical onboard incident.
The jury recognized the solution for its simple and practical approach to a highly relevant safety challenge, highlighting its ability to detect thermal runaway conditions early and its potential to become an industry baseline.
The solution combines advanced sensing technology with intelligent algorithms to detect early signs of thermal runaway. It builds on the proven SmartULD platform and extends early detection capabilities into the passenger cabin, addressing a growing safety challenge as the volume of battery-powered devices continues to increase.
The underlying SmartULD platform has already been deployed at scale across global cargo operations, including a major rollout with DHL Express. The addition of Cabin Fire Tag capability applies the same early detection approach to the passenger cabin environment.
Charles Drummond, CEO of AviusULD, said: “The rapid proliferation and increasing density of lithium-ion batteries in both passenger cabins and cargo have fundamentally changed the risk landscape, elevating the potential for thermal runaway events. These incidents are typically preceded by off-gassing, which provides a critical early indicator if it can be detected in time. By identifying these precursors, we can give crews valuable time to respond before a situation escalates. This solution is designed to meet that need, and we believe it represents an important step forward for aviation safety.”
Floris Kleijn, Director of Digital Solutions at AviusULD, said: “SmartULD has already demonstrated how data and sensing can improve visibility and control in cargo operations. Bringing that capability into the cabin is a natural next step. The goal is to give operators the information they need early enough to act, without adding complexity to the aircraft or the operation.”
Klaus Hofmann, Group CEO of CCE Group, said: “Safety is non-negotiable in aviation, and it is what unites all stakeholders across the industry. This award reflects how we combine engineering, digital capability, and operational insight across our companies to address risks that span the entire aircraft in a practical and scalable way.”
With this recognition, AviusULD and CCE Group continue to strengthen their position in delivering integrated solutions that improve safety, operational performance, and resilience across the aviation ecosystem.
The Crystal Cabin Award winners were announced on 14 April 2026 at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce.