WEEKLY NEWS


AIR CARG O WEEK


REDEFINING THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY 14 BY Edward HARDY


THE air cargo sector is generating more data than ever, driven by dig- ital platforms, automation, and increased connectivity across the supply chain. As operators assess how effectively this information supports commercial and operational decision-making, the focus has shifted from data availability to data applications with questions re- maining over whether current approaches are delivering measurable improvements, or simply adding complexity to existing processes. “Today, this cargo tech ecosystem, which is integrated within our


operations, is really the solution to deliver additional value, especially in terms of optimisation and new technologies, particularly predictive tools where we integrate AI. That will be the game changer over the coming months and years,” Adrien Thominet, Chairman of AERION, said. Embedding intelligence into a supply chain is not a matter of


adopting every shiny tool on the market. It requires clarity on what a company wants to achieve with the data it collects. Predictive solu- tions are only as valuable as the people interpreting their outputs. Data without analytical capability can amplify inefficiency rather than mitigate it. “We are training our people to become more analytical, and I believe


this is the future of the GSSA business. Our role will no longer be to handle simple bookings. The focus will be on how we optimise those bookings within the system, so staff are being trained to work with data and solutions rather than carrying out very basic functions that IT systems will increasingly handle themselves,” Thominet added.


Human expertise as the catalyst Even the most sophisticated algorithms cannot replicate intuition gained from experience on the ground. Real


ing it to make autonomous choices. “Technology will support us in taking decisions and improving ef-


ficiency, but we still need to optimise how we use it. This is where roles are evolving, with staff moving from very basic functions into optimisation-focused responsibilities,” Thominet stated. Human intervention remains critical in volatile environments. Sud-


den geopolitical shifts, port disruptions, or surges in demand cannot always be anticipated through historical data. Agility, flexibility, and local knowledge define whether a company converts information into insight. “Our business often benefits from what cannot be predicted. Logis-


tics gained during Covid—no one could foresee it, and suddenly the sector was benefiting from the situation. The strength of airfreight logistics is that you are constantly readapting to the circumstances, and you are often able to gain from those situations,” he outlined. From data overload to strategic intelligence Data abundance has changed the game, but more numbers do not


automatically equal smarter decisions. Companies are forced to sift through enormous datasets to identify patterns that impact revenue and efficiency. The challenge is to balance the operational insights that are immediately actionable with predictive intelligence that guides medium-term strategy. “We are changing—we are no longer just a classic sales supplier.


intelligence emerges


where human insight meets machine efficiency, transforming raw data into actionable strategy. Airlines and GSSAs face the challenge of using technology as a decision-support system rather than expect-


ACW 20 APRIL 2026


We are trying to demonstrate, through technology, immediate benefits for our airline partners. With our key partners, we have implemented programmes and IT solutions that allow them to measure those bene- fits straight away. We use that evidence to show that, by modernising the relationship and integrating these solutions in a more strategic way, there are immediate gains,” Thominet expressed. The intelligence of a supply chain depends not on raw collection


but on synthesis. Data integration across segments—from pharma to e-commerce—creates a feedback loop that informs better deci-


www.aircargoweek.com


sion-making while simultaneously improving operational efficiency. The value of digital tools is maximised only when paired with this an- alytical rigour. “I believe people naturally focus on revenue management optimi-


sation because it delivers immediate gains. We need to work more on operational efficiencies. You can always try to optimise revenue, but you also need to control costs, improve efficiency, and ultimately reduce them,” he highlighted.


Demonstrating tangible value The true test for technology and data is the added value it delivers. Airlines will only maintain outsourcing relationships if the GSSA can consistently


outperform in-house capabilities. This expectation


drives GSSAs to integrate technology while controlling costs, provid- ing specialised solutions, and creating agility that an airline alone may struggle to match. Beyond cost and revenue optimisation, strategic partnerships with


airlines and technology providers are crucial. Integrating solutions across operational control, carbon management, and revenue man- agement creates a holistic ecosystem where data becomes insight, insight informs action, and action drives tangible business outcomes. “We are trying to build a kind of organisational legitimacy, because


we are constantly aiming to provide something that airlines could not achieve by themselves or with other GSSAs. We are also working to differentiate ourselves from more traditional GSSA organisations,” Thominet highlighted. “If we do not constantly bring added value—through extra ser-


vices, solutions, or the leanest possible cost base—there is no reason for airlines to outsource their activity. If we want to defend the GSSA model as a deliberate choice, and not a default one, we must continuously demonstrate that we are delivering better revenue per- formance,” he concluded.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18