AFKLMP Cargo launches real-time cargo ebooking on Freightos platform

April 23, 2019: Air France KLM Martinair Cargo's (AFKLMP Cargo) has introduced new digital connectivity with WebCargo, enabling forwarders on the world's largest air freight platform to instantly view live rates, assess capacity availability, and secure cargo bookings on specific flights in real-time. This will ensure improved transit times and significant cost savings for airlines, forwarders, and shippers, as well as improved capacity utilisation.

Air freight pricing and booking that takes place offline costs the industry billions in changing fees, untapped capacity, and manual labour, sometimes turning the sales process for an hours-long flight into a process that extends days.

"Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is committed to being a leading player in transforming our industry online. Our online platform myCargo exemplifies our ambition %u2018to be easy to do business with'. Our latest partnership with WebCargo by Freightos provides our customers and partners a convenient and fast digital interface to our products and services, and it stipulates time and again that our strategy %u2018be there, where the customer is', is the right one," said Marcel de Nooijer, executive vice president of AFKLMP Cargo & MD, Martinair Holland NV.

Last month, pilots conducted between Panalpina, WebCargo and AFKLMP Cargo, ushered in a new era of digital sales for the leading air carrier. WebCargo's other air freight customers can now benefit from improved visibility, instant booking, and increased data exchange accuracy. Real-time eBookings will be launched in a number of countries and gradually expanded.

In order to provide the optimal customer experience, AFKLMP Cargo has prioritised technology initiatives, like application programming interface (APIs). In addition, the carrier also launched dynamic air cargo pricing. This provides advanced revenue management capabilities while offering forwarders and shippers similar access to the most competitive rates.

"Online quotation and booking are key features of Panalpina's goal to make air freight more efficient for our customers. WebCargo's support of instant dynamic pricing and ebooking with one of our preferred partners, Air France-KLM, means faster operations and, more importantly, improved service for our customers," said Markus Muecke, global head of air freight procurement and product management at Panalpina.

WebCargo by Freightos already boasts the world's largest real-time air cargo rate database. It now enables real-time pricing, capacity, and ebooking for leading airlines, including AFKLMP Cargo. If capacity is unavailable, the system also supports manual online ad-hoc pricing. The result is more frictionless global air freight.

According to Manel Galindo, CEO, WebCargo, "Air France-KLM is one of the world's largest airline groups, which has developed unparalleled digital capabilities stemming from a commitment to offering best-in-class customer service. As a recent benchmarking study we conducted confirms that Air France-KLM Cargo is one of the cargo industry's leaders bringing freight online. We're proud to play a role in their success."

WebCargo is the leading platform for live air cargo rate distribution and bookings between hundreds of airlines and 1,400 forwarders. Partners using fully digital eBooking on WebCargo include leading airlines, like Lufthansa and Air France-KLM, and forwarders such as Panalpina. WebCargo Multimodal is the leading platform for enterprise freight forwarders to manage rates and automate sales, spanning ocean, air, and land. Customers include Hellmann, Nippon Express, CH Robinson, FedEx Logistics and others.

WebCargo joined Freightos in 2016, the world's largest digital freight platform for the trillion-dollar international shipping industry. Founded by serial entrepreneur Zvi Schreiber, Freightos is a logistics technology pioneer with a worldwide presence, and has raised $94.4 million from leading venture funds, including GE Ventures and the Singapore Exchange.