The airfreight market is undergoing significant changes in how resources and digitalisation are managed. During COVID, there was significant interest in cargo due to its revenue potential. Nowadays, the industry is seeing rates decline. With this backdrop, companies are increasingly moving towards digital solutions for efficiency gains, allowing people to handle more integrated tasks, which is beneficial.
The fundamental structure remains unchanged, but there’s a notable shift in processing methods, and the cargo supply chain is lengthy and evolving.
Shippers, freight forwarders, and airlines are now looking for increased visibility, collaboration and openness, altering established practices. Data has become crucial, and access to it is more important than ever for airlines to monitor operations proactively.
“Historically, decisions were sometimes suboptimal due to insufficient information across the supply chain—shippers, airlines, and all stakeholders often operated with limited visibility,” Vitaly Smilianets, Founder and CEO of Awery Aviation Software (Awery), stated.
“By enhancing access to data, we aim to drive efficiency and profitability throughout the industry. This journey towards optimisation is ongoing and requires continuous progress.”
“What’s increasingly clear to the industry now is the value of data.
“There’s a reluctance within the industry towards change management. Introducing more efficient practices requires time despite the significant progress we’ve observed.
“It’s an evolutionary process that we must navigate. Looking ahead, I believe that in ten years, traditional methods like booking cargo via email or telephone will likely be outdated. However, even in the next four to five years, these methods may still persist for more high-value transactions.
Optimising capacity
Technology is expected to play a crucial role by ensuring cargo operations are more efficient than current practices, reducing or, even, eliminating wastage.
At the moment, for every 10 tonnes of available space, six or seven tonnes typically remain empty during these flights. By leveraging technology, booking platforms, like Awery, can assist the industry in discovering more effective ways to utilise excess capacity.”
“Digital developments may change the speed and approach of booking cargo. While some urgent shipments will always need last-minute booking, there’s a growing trend towards longer-term planning,” Tristan Koch, Chief Commercial Officer of Awery, explained.
“If customers can secure predictable rates and availability six months ahead with a specific carrier, they’re likely to reserve space earlier. This shift towards advance bookings could become more valuable, potentially leading to more proactive space allocation on aircraft.”
