The integration of technology in airfreight operations has significantly enhanced transparency, security, and efficiency across the supply chain. Platforms can digitise manual processes, providing real-time visibility into rates, capacity, and bookings. This ensures that all stakeholders – from forwarders to airlines – have immediate access to accurate information, reducing reliance on back-and-forth communications via email and phone.
APIs enable automatic updates on shipment status and schedule changes, which improves customer experience and builds trust. Additionally, integrated analytics consolidate relevant data, giving both operational teams and decision-makers clear insights into performance metrics, such as shipment volume trends.
The shift to digital platforms has improved data security by replacing physical documentation, which can be easily lost or tampered with. Frequent audits to maintain compliance with global standards such as ISO 27001 and SOC2 are key to secure digital systems.
“Digital solutions have significantly improved operational workflows. Forwarders no longer need to manually compare rates across multiple carriers or wait for email confirmations, as live rates and instant booking confirmations reduce handling time. Despite these advancements, there is still “adoption resistance” that arises from concerns over complexity and moving away from traditional workflows,” Antonia Ambrozy, Commercial Director – SMB Forwarders at WebCargo by Freightos, stated.
“Airfreight is by default a fast-moving industry. Rates and capacity are changing by the minutes and most of the ongoing operations are human-backed, which means potential human error.”
“Digital platforms are improving transparency through real-time data sharing, security with advanced encryption, and efficiency by automating bookings, quotations, and reporting for the forwarders – but also for the airlines/GSAs with the possibility to have dynamic prices and other insights,” Matt Petot, Founder and CEO of CargoAI, added.
“Working digitally provides data that offers ‘one version of the truth’ – using data you can optimise your business and drive operational improvements more effectively, demonstrate performance, and work in a pro-active instead of reactive way. Using AI also enables working in a more predictive way,” Jean Verheyen, Nallian’s CEO, continued.
“Reported benefits of using slot booking system, for example, include reducing wait times by 75 percent and more, transporting the same volumes with five trucks instead of seven, a dramatic reduction of overtime and the associated costs.
“Resistance to change and the required change management are the most relevant challenges of widespread adoption. Yet when managed well, the advantages are obvious and leading innovators will benefit from sustainable competitive advantages.”
Defining trends
The airfreight industry is seeing the same key trends over the past few years including sustainability-focused tools and real-time data visibility – but what’s clearer now is the mindset shift across the industry.
The solutions are getting more mature and the adoption curve is at an all-time high. Everybody is now convinced on the impact of digitalisation and the so-called previous ‘laggers’ are now adopting these available tools en masse.
“CargoAi has created solutions like CargoMART, a marketplace that simplifies airfreight bookings and procurement decisions for airlines and freight forwarders, and Cargo2ZERO, which helps measure and reduce carbon footprints and our technologies are being adopted by airlines and freight forwarders globally to increase efficiency and transparency,” Petot outlined. “On the other hand, thought-leaders in airfreight are already looking ahead and developing AI-based solutions to automate and streamline their operations across sales, procurement and other departments.”
One of the most significant trends in the airfreight industry is the widespread adoption of API integrations which enable seamless, real-time communication between different systems. APIs bridge the gap between freight forwarders, airlines, TMS and digital platforms, allowing for live rate distribution, instant bookings, rate management and quoting as well as automated updates on capacity and pricing.
“Platforms like WebCargo by Freightos use APIs to integrate with airline systems, enabling forwarders to book and quote shipments in seconds and gain real-time visibility into capacity. Major players are embracing API integrations not only for direct bookings but also to enhance interline partnerships—allowing airlines to offer capacity from partner carriers in a single, streamlined transaction. This reduces operational complexity and improves customer service by expanding available routing options,” Ambrozy stated.
“Leveraging cutting-edge technologies empowers companies to enhance their resilience during disruptions, enabling them to respond swiftly, manage challenges effectively, and not only survive but potentially thrive amidst the storm,” Verheyen said.
AI’s potential
The airfreight industry is already see advantages of artificial intelligence (AI), provided it’s used in a good and sensitive way. For example, AI helps us to identify shortcuts and bridge gaps. Going forward, the adoption of Intelligent Automation (IA) practices is crucial to improving overall business performance.
“By investing in IA, businesses can enhance standardisation, bolster cybersecurity measures, and manage pricing volatility more effectively, all contributing to a more resilient and secure operational environment,” Ambrozy declared.
“AI-driven tools analyse historical and real-time data to suggest efficient options, helping airlines and forwarders achieve carbon emission savings,” Petot laid out. “CargoAi leverages AI to optimise routes, manage load capacities to reduce carbon emissions with our solution Cargo2ZERO.”
“AI and ML allow analysing a mass of data to create predictive models that can guide operations. These learnings can facilitate configuration and decision making and decrease risk-buffers that would otherwise be included, which allows making more efficient use of resources,” Verheyen expressed.
Freight forwarding advances
Freight forwarders are increasingly using big data and analytics to enhance decision-making, predict market trends, and offer tailored services to their clients. A prime example is comprehensive market intelligence tools that provide forwarders with detailed insights into rate trends and market dynamics.
“By consolidating data from millions of data points running via the platform, our tool Terminal enables forwarders to make data-driven decisions,” Ambrozy said. “In addition to market insights, WebCargo Terminal supports competitive benchmarking, enabling forwarders to assess their performance relative to market averages.
“This empowers them to refine their value propositions and identify areas where they can differentiate themselves. By leveraging Terminal’s data, forwarders can also offer customised solutions to their clients, such as recommending cost-saving routes or alternative service options based on real-time market conditions.
“For example, if a particular lane becomes more expensive due to high demand, forwarders can use Terminal to identify lower-cost alternatives and share this intelligence with their customers, positioning themselves as trusted advisors rather than just service providers.”
“With analytical tools, forwarders gain actionable insights into market trends, pricing strategies, and route optimisation,” Petot agreed. “This enables more informed decision-making and helps tailor solutions to customer needs.
“Our latest tool, our AI-powered rate index, will help forwarders to forecast prices in the future based on previous trends and will help them with their procurement and pricing decisions.”
“With objective data at hand forwarders have ‘a single version of truth’ to demonstrate performance. This also helps reducing discussions when issues arise,” Verheyen continued. “Furthermore, e.g. when using tools such as slot booking, data on the executed runs allows them to plan trips better, anticipate potential issues, and maximise usage of available drivers and trucks.”
Legacy to adoption
The biggest issues when it comes to digitalisation are standardisation and adoption. Every integration takes time in airfreight as each system has their own requirements and restrictions – some may take a few weeks and others take a few months.
“CargoAi addresses integration challenges by providing flexible APIs that seamlessly connect with legacy systems. This approach ensures smooth implementation and compatibility, minimising disruptions while enabling digital transformation,” Petot expressed.
“Airlines must invest in digitalisation, incorporating technologies like IoT and AI for real-time tracking, cloud-based data storage, and predictive maintenance. These advancements aim to create a more efficient, interconnected, and customer-centric air cargo ecosystem,” Ambrozy stated.
“We believe in the power of an open approach, where different IT systems integrate with each other to optimise the end-to-end process,” Verheyen echoed. “This gives the user access to best-in-class solutions for each step in the process, while safeguarding business agility. The different systems will reinforce each other, and being able to leverage existing systems will also lower the hurdle for adopting new systems as the use can still capitalise on the investments made in the past.”
