In an industry where “digital transformation” often feels more like a buzzword than a breakthrough, some cargo tech players are quietly changing the narrative—less hype, more results. The focus is shifting away from abstract promises and towards sharper tools that deliver financial and operational impact.

At the core of this shift is a new generation of modular cargo platforms, built not just to digitise workflows but to give airlines greater control, faster decision-making, and measurable performance gains. The story isn’t just about software—it’s about rethinking how airfreight is priced, moved, and monetised in real time.

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Matt Woolmer, Vice President of Accelya, hightlighted how the market’s demand has shifted from rigid legacy systems to configurable platforms. “Carriers don’t want to buy software—they want to subscribe to capability. FLX ONE Cargo gives them optionality.”

The system allows airlines to adopt individual modules, such as booking or revenue optimisation, without having to implement an end-to-end overhaul. “It’s designed to be a Lego-block approach,” Woolmer explained. “You can plug in, test, and expand based on what your business needs today and tomorrow.”

That approach has proven popular with carriers seeking quicker time-to-value without heavy implementation risks.

“We’re digitising the entire process, from availability to revenue management, through pricing, booking, and ultimately the financial reconciliation,” Woolmer said.

“It’s about making the back end smarter.”

He noted that many airlines still struggle with fragmented processes across cargo and passenger revenue systems. “There’s a huge opportunity in aligning those capabilities,” Woolmer added.

Optimised through AI

With artificial intelligence reshaping logistics, Accelya is taking a pragmatic view. “There’s a lot of AI hype, but we focus on use cases where it adds real business value,” Woolmer said.

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One of the most promising is predictive pricing. “AI can help forecast demand, recommend rate changes, and even alert teams to underperforming routes in real time,” he noted. “That allows revenue managers to act before losses accrue.”

Accelya’s AI roadmap also includes dynamic allocation optimisation, disruption forecasting, and operational scenario modelling.

“It’s not about replacing people—it’s about augmenting them with better tools.”

From ESG vision to implementation

Accelya’s digital strategy is deeply linked to its broader environmental and social objectives. According to the company’s FY24 ESG report, released this year, 100 percent of its carbon emissions are now offset. But more importantly, the company is aiming to go beyond offsets.

“We believe decarbonisation must be embedded in product design and operations,” the report notes. For cargo software, this means enabling airlines to optimise load factors, reduce empty legs, and track emissions with accuracy—key elements in meeting Scope 3 climate targets.

Internally, Accelya has also implemented ESG governance structures and committed to aligning its software development processes with sustainability goals.

“Digital solutions can either help solve problems or compound them,” Woolmer said. “We’re choosing to solve.”

One of the pain points for airlines remains the lack of seamless system integration across their tech stack. Woolmer says that’s precisely what FLX ONE Cargo is designed to address.

“We’re not telling airlines to rip out what they’ve built—we’re saying: here’s something that will work with it,” he explained.

“We’ve seen real uptake in carriers wanting to use FLX ONE Cargo alongside their existing PSS or cargo systems.”

The business case for investing in smarter cargo systems is becoming clearer. Accelya says its customers are already reporting measurable gains in revenue yield, quoting speed, and customer satisfaction through adoption of modern, digital technologies.

“We’re seeing faster quote-to-book ratios and better use of space,” Woolmer said. “That translates to improved margins.”

As the solution gains traction, Accelya is expanding its go-to-market footprint in key regions, including the Middle East and Southeast Asia, where air cargo networks are growing rapidly.

“Personalisation is going to matter more—forwarders expect airline portals to look and feel like retail e-commerce platforms,” Woolmer said.