AIR CARG O WEEK


CARGO TECHNOLOGY


BOOKING SMARTER, MOVING FASTER: DIGITALISATION CLEARS THE AIR IN FREIGHT


BY Oscar SARDIÑAS A


“The airfreight sector, historically reliant on manual processes and legacy systems, is amid a significant and well- documented digital transformation.”


t the 2025 CNS Partnership Conference in Miami, commercial vice president at Freightos, Julien Triay, sat down to discuss airfreight’s rapid digital shift. “Our business is built on volatility,” Triay remarked. “We don’t shy away from it, rather we help our customers


navigate it. Whether rates are climbing or collapsing, forwarders and shippers need clarity, visibility and tools to act fast. And that’s exactly what we provide.”.


A digital imperative The airfreight sector, historically reliant on manual processes and legacy systems, is amid a significant and well-documented digital transformation. According to a report by S&P Global, global cargo capacity saw a jump in digitalisation, from 35% in 2021 to 60% in early 2023, as a response to skyrocketing demand for efficiency, visibility and speed, largely due to e-commerce. This shift is not limited to software implementation; it’s also


about changing mind-sets. The integration of digital booking platforms, AI-driven route optimisation, and predictive cargo planning tools is transforming day-to-day operations. Freightos, which powers a digital booking platform used by


over 30 airlines and thousands of forwarders, has positioned itself


at the intersection of this shift. “We’re infrastructure brings better building


connective tissue between stakeholders in global freight,” Triay explained. “Digital


E-commerce and airfreight The rapid rise of e-commerce has become a key force


driving consumers the


airfreight’s demanding


backbone of


evolution. With near-instant


delivery windows, airfreight has become


cross-


border e-commerce fulfilment. Digital Commerce 360 reports


that global e-commerce revenues have


dollars, growth


surpassed with


expected That kind demands 6 fast, six trillion


double-digit in


sectors


like fashion, electronics and health.


of scale flexible Julien Triay tools to both


sides of the market, allowing for price discovery, competition, faster execution, and hopefully increased transparency.”


logistics and airfreight has stepped in to fill that need. To meet this demand, carriers are converting passenger aircraft


into freighters, optimising cargo space allocation, and investing in automated cargo hubs. Airlines are also rethinking how they price and distribute cargo space, leaning on digital platforms like Freightos to make rates even more transparent and accessible in real time.


Automated and agile Artificial intelligence and automation are becoming standard tools in the logistics industry’s toolkit. AI-powered dynamic pricing, demand forecasting, and route optimisation are helping carriers maximise yield while minimising empty space. According to IATA, logistics companies that


implement AI forecasting see


a 30 to 50% reduction in planning errors and inventory mismatches. In a business where minutes and margins matter,


that can be a


powerful advantage. Julien Triay noted that these


platforms also leverage data insights to help users adapt on the fly. “A forwarder can run a quick search and instantly see market trends by lane, time, and carrier,” he said. “They’re not just


booking freight, they’re making better- informed decisions that save time and money.” These tools are also quite valuable in times


of


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