- Air cargo is moving from separate tools to connected digital ecosystems, improving visibility, coordination, and decision-making while keeping humans in control.
- Trust, certification, and easy onboarding let more forwarders and handlers join networks, helping everyone collaborate faster and more reliably.
- Digital platforms boost resilience with real-time tracking, rerouting during disruptions, carbon reporting, and flexible modular systems for efficient operations.
The air cargo industry is gradually moving from standalone digital tools to fully integrated ecosystems, but adoption is far from complete. While airlines and freight forwarders increasingly connect systems and share data, many still rely on siloed platforms. The pace is measured, influenced by data security concerns, inconsistent global standards, and the operational impact of moving away from legacy systems. True “community-based” digital infrastructure remains an aspiration, requiring trust frameworks, interoperability standards, and demonstrable value to gain traction.
The concept of operational synchronicity is emerging as a defining principle of modern air cargo management. “Operational synchronicity means everyone—airports, handlers, forwarders, and carriers—sees the same live picture and acts on it together,” Senior Sales Executive Myles Cummins of AERIOS explained. This is often achieved through digital twins or live operational dashboards that update instantly. “A delay, a gate change, or a customs release shows up for all parties at the same time. It’s less about flashy tech and more about aligning decisions in real time.”
Airports and cargo handlers increasingly pursue this synchronicity through digital twins, which simulate operational scenarios across multiple stakeholders. Yet progress is uneven. “Adoption in air cargo is progressing, but at a measured pace,” Cummins notes. “Airlines and freight forwarders are beginning to connect systems, but many still operate within siloed digital tools. The momentum is building, but achieving a truly community-based digital infrastructure will require stronger trust frameworks, interoperability standards, and proven value cases.”
The shift is also reflected in AI and predictive analytics. “Today, AI in airfreight primarily enhances data collection, reduces human error, and increases both the speed and capacity of data capture,” he says. “It surfaces more accurate, timely insights—not to replace human decision-making. Strategic and operational calls remain firmly in the hands of management, but with richer, cleaner data, those decisions can be faster, better informed, and more proactive.”
Expanding the community
Trust and seamless collaboration are central to expanding digital adoption. “Certifications are more important than ever in building trust—they give confidence that shared data is handled securely and consistently,” Cummins stresses. Server location also plays a critical role. “Knowing exactly where data resides helps communities meet regulatory obligations and reduces commercial hesitation around integration.”
The traditional cargo community system has evolved beyond airport perimeters. “Forwarders, handlers, and carriers now work in overlapping global networks. Cargo clouds like Nallian’s are adapting by acting as connectors—using open APIs and certified data-sharing so players can plug in once and collaborate across multiple communities,” he explains. Onboarding, particularly for smaller forwarders or handlers, is a major focus. “A truly frictionless onboarding process removes both technical and commercial barriers. That means no heavy IT integrations—just secure, browser-based access backed by strong certifications. When smaller forwarders or handlers can connect in hours, not months, the whole community benefits from faster adoption.”
Operational resilience is increasingly important alongside efficiency. “Strong digital infrastructure means cargo players can quickly reroute shipments, share updates, and keep systems running during a crisis—whether that’s a natural disaster, a cyberattack, or political unrest,” Cummins says. Certified systems and backup servers in safe locations allow the industry to maintain continuity even under stress.
Carbon reporting and real-time, event-driven logistics further illustrate the potential of digital tools. “Digital cargo platforms can pull emissions data directly from existing flight, load, and routing records, giving forwarders and shippers accurate, certified, and easy-to-access details without extra work,” he says. Similarly, cargo clouds enable dynamic supply chains: “Milestone tracking shows what has happened, but event-driven logistics tells you what’s happening right now. Real-time visibility means supply chains can adjust on the fly, not just react after the fact.”
Finally, modular systems and APIs are transforming digital airfreight into marketplaces rather than single platforms. “Airlines and forwarders can now plug in and out the modules they do or don’t need. Infrastructure must be open, certified, and interoperable by design. The winners will be those who make integration easy, not those who try to own the whole stack.”
