As the African air cargo market continues to evolve, embracing digital solutions has become imperative to stay competitive and efficient. With a growing need for streamlined processes and real-time data, the industry is at a pivotal point of transformation. The integration of technology is not just a luxury but a necessity to meet the demands of modern logistics and supply chain management.
“The South African market has always been significant for air cargo due to its role as a hub for various industries, including automotive and perishables,” Tristan Koch, Chief Commercial Officer at Awery Aviation Software, said.
Since launching its cargo booking platform in South Africa last autumn, Awery has seen demand pick up substantially, with 15 airlines in the country now using their cargo booking product.
Awery accepts that external factors have played a role in accelerating the adoption of air cargo solutions in Africa, as an unexpected increase in airfreight demand has boosted the uptake of technology.
“The issues in the Red Sea, particularly with the Houthi rebels affecting the Suez Canal, have shifted a significant amount of freight from ocean to air,” Koch noted.
However, despite the evident benefits, the transition to digital solutions in the air cargo industry has faced some some resistance.
“Globally, less than 10 percent of air cargo bookings are made online,” Koch pointed out. “Many still prefer emails or phone calls.”
Real-time connectivity
Awery believes its cargo booking platform stands out due to its innovative features, particularly the eMagic tool.
“This tool extracts data from emails and converts it into digital quotes, significantly reducing the time and effort required for data entry,” Anna Balan, Head of CargoBooking, a platform powered by Awery, explained.
The tool can process up to 129 lines of shipment details in seconds, a task that would otherwise take hours if done manually.
The platform also offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies booking processes.
“When you receive an email request, the tool picks up all the relevant information and provides a detailed quote with available flight options and rates,” Balan illustrated.
Awery designed the eMagic tool to digitise email communications to bridge this gap, enabling businesses to work more efficiently without altering their communication habits.
The old-fashioned method of making cargo bookings involved multiple emails back and forth, consuming considerable time and resources.
By embracing this platform, companies have streamlined the process of managing airway bills, which were traditionally handled via emails and phone calls.
“Using our digital tool, a single email can become a digital enquiry, automating the entire process thereafter,” Koch explained.
Adaptable and open
In today’s fast-paced air cargo environment, flexibility and transparency are key drivers of success. Awery’s cargo booking platform offers unparalleled adaptability, designed to cater to the unique requirements of diverse clients. This flexibility allows businesses to customise the platform to their specific needs, enhancing their operational capabilities.
“Our platform is highly customisable to meet specific needs, which is something larger platforms can’t always offer,” Balan added.
Moreover, the platform’s free access model, with no hidden charges or booking fees, sets it apart from competitors.
“We don’t charge for API calls, and there are no hidden costs. This transparency and affordability make our platform more attractive,” Koch highlighted.
To underscore the impact of digitalisation, Balan shared analytics from May, showcasing impressive results.
“We processed 1,360 quotes with a conversion rate of 88 percent, resulting in 1,200 bookings,” she revealed. Remarkably, 23 percent of these bookings were completed directly by forwarders using the platform without any intermediary interaction.
“This demonstrates that people are seeing the benefits of using the platform over traditional methods,” Balan concluded.
