The rush to digitalize air cargo and meet the changing demands of customers has led many airlines to pursue their own digital initiatives without collaboration, hindering faster adoption and further development. IAG Cargo announced a significant expansion of its global digital and IT team to 60 members, highlighting the importance of advancing digital capabilities and cloud technology to meet customer needs. While some airlines prefer in-house tech solutions, others seek help from external technology companies.
However, there is debate over airlines taking on the role of tech companies instead of focusing on collaboration within the industry. The lack of integration between systems and a sense of “data greed” suggest that collaboration is essential for the industry to progress. The goal of modern, smart, and cohesive systems requires digital democracy and connectivity.
At the IATA WCS in Hong Kong, IATA’s global head of cargo emphasized the importance of collaboration for digitalization in the air cargo industry. He called for governments, supply chain partners, and the entire industry to work together to implement global standards and ensure a unified approach to digitalization. IAG Cargo has recently sold its interlining technology to Freightos but is now focusing on developing in-house technologies to improve operational efficiency, customer experience, and sustainability through a cloud-first approach. Their strategy combines packaged solutions and SaaS offerings with bespoke development to provide both established solutions and flexibility when needed.
