Air cargo digitalisation shifts from IT projects to business transformation

The air cargo industry is facing a shift where digitalisation is increasingly viewed as a business transformation challenge rather than a mere IT project. According to Cédric Millet, President of CargoTech, successful technology adoption requires clear objectives, leadership, and strong change management to avoid simply adding complexity to existing operations.

Inefficiencies in quotation, booking, and capacity management persist due to manual approvals and reliance on individual judgment. The next phase of digital evolution is expected to focus on connecting the wider cargo value chain and utilizing artificial intelligence as a decision-making co-pilot to automate repetitive tasks.

Digital marketplaces, such as those operated by Freightos, are playing a role in reducing industry fragmentation. These platforms allow airlines to offer capacity and rates in real time, which speeds up the booking process and provides data analysis for strategic decision-making across air, ocean, and ground cargo ecosystems.