E-booking platforms are reshaping the air cargo industry by replacing traditional, time-intensive communication methods like phone calls and emails with instant bookings, real-time capacity updates, and automated workflows.
In an industry historically characterized by manual processes and cumbersome paperwork, digital transformation is steadily redefining air cargo operations. At the forefront of this evolution, e-booking platforms have emerged as critical tools for streamlining cargo bookings, enhancing operational efficiency, and fostering greater transparency across the global supply chain. These platforms are now strategic assets for freight forwarders, airlines, and shippers navigating the complexities of global logistics.
The Digital Revolution in Air Cargo
The air cargo industry has traditionally lagged in digital adoption. For decades, securing air freight space involved a labor-intensive process requiring multiple phone calls, emails, and faxes—an approach fraught with inefficiencies and prone to errors.
The Covid-19 pandemic catalyzed significant change, accelerating the adoption of digital solutions as stakeholders sought more resilient and flexible methods amidst unprecedented disruptions.
Today, within a thriving and expanding air cargo market, e-booking platforms are central to this digital evolution. According to recent IATA data, cargo revenues are projected to reach $157 billion (15.6% of total revenues) by 2025. In January 2025 alone, global air cargo demand—measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK)—rose 3.2% year-on-year, marking 18 consecutive months of growth. Meanwhile, available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK) increased by 6.8%, signaling robust capacity expansion.
E-booking platforms now enable real-time capacity visibility, instant booking confirmations, dynamic pricing, and seamless documentation management—capabilities that were unimaginable in the past. These digital workflows have transformed a labor-intensive process into a streamlined, data-driven operation.
Core Benefits of E-booking Platforms
The value of air cargo e-booking platforms extends far beyond the convenience of online transactions. By automating the booking process, these platforms reduce redundant tasks, eliminate manual errors, and free carriers and forwarders to focus on higher-value activities.
Wayne Tyndall, Senior VP Commercial - Freight Forwarders and Airlines at Freightos, reflects on this transformation:
“In our 17 years of existence, we’ve seen enormous changes in how industry players manage their business. Initially, it was rate sheets in binders and informal quotes over phone calls or emails with no connectivity to core systems. Slowly but surely, this has evolved into a fully digital process.”
However, Tyndall notes, “This will, by the way, never go fully digital. But it’s a game-changer across the board: carriers gain more customers through expanded distribution, forwarders spend less time on paperwork and more time creating value, and shippers receive faster, more competitive quotes with enhanced shipment transparency. The industry is finally moving toward a smarter, more connected way of working.”
Key Players in the E-booking Ecosystem
The e-booking ecosystem features several platforms, each offering unique approaches and capabilities.
cargo.one: The Digital Marketplace Enabler
Founded in 2017, cargo.one connects freight forwarders with airline capacity. Moritz Claussen, Founder & Co-CEO of cargo.one, explains:
“cargo.one digitally connects over 60 carriers with over 25,000 forwarder users globally. We power the world’s largest forwarders, such as DB Schenker, with robust, high-quality infrastructure and tools to elevate meaningful digitalization across the industry.”
cargo.one delivers efficiency gains through innovations in rate procurement, quotation, and tracking, empowering forwarders to quote faster and win more shipments.
Freightos: The End-to-End Solution Provider
Freightos offers a multimodal platform for air, ocean, and ground freight, integrating rate management, booking, and sales into a single digital ecosystem. Tyndall highlights its comprehensive value:
“Our platform supports the entire process—from pricing and booking to post-booking intelligence. This ensures supply chain efficiency without the need to juggle multiple systems.”
CargoAi: Innovating Digital Workflows
CargoAi simplifies air freight procurement through real-time capacity visibility, rate searches, and automated documentation. CEO Matt Petot emphasizes its impact:
“Our integrations with over 110 airlines streamline end-to-end workflows—from client quotations to electronic air waybills—reducing manual errors and ensuring compliance.”
CargoBooking: Streamlining Cargo Booking Workflows
Awery’s CargoBooking platform offers real-time rate visibility and booking through a user-friendly interface. Anna Balan, Head of CargoBooking, notes:
“Our platform’s eMagic tool, embedded with ChatGPT technology, automates data transfer from unstructured formats like emails and PDFs, reducing hours of manual data entry. It is intuitive enough for even non-industry users to navigate easily.”
Challenges in E-booking Adoption
Despite their transformative potential, e-booking platforms face several challenges, including resistance to change, legacy system fragmentation, and concerns over data quality.
Tyndall remarks: “The biggest challenge is change management. Transitioning from traditional methods to digital platforms requires a mindset shift across the industry.”
Furthermore, forwarders often contend with “platform overload,” managing multiple systems to complete a single shipment. Freightos aims to mitigate this by integrating multimodal capabilities into a unified platform.
The Future of Digital Booking
The future of air cargo lies in digital booking. Platforms like cargo.one, Freightos, and CargoAi are driving this shift by enhancing customization, end-to-end visibility, and real-time connectivity.
Claussen envisions a future where digital bookings dominate:
“As digital connectivity expands, platforms like cargo.one will deliver unparalleled customization and a seamless experience for forwarders.”
Tyndall underscores Freightos’ goal of creating a unified platform for all freight modes:
“Our focus is on integrating ground, ocean, and air freight capabilities, streamlining rate management, quoting, and booking into a single solution.”
Meanwhile, Petot highlights the bottom-line impact of digitization:
“By automating workflows, e-booking platforms directly enhance profitability, encouraging broader adoption across the industry.”
As digital solutions gain traction, the air cargo industry is poised to become more connected, efficient, and resilient—ushering in a new era of smarter logistics operations.
Source: https://www.stattimes.com/air-cargo/e-booking-platforms-driving-digital-change-in-air-cargo-1354701
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