Etihad Cargo continues its digital push with new booking capabilities

Etihad Cargo will continue its digital drive by rolling out a new messaging system and a new API-based booking system.

The airline said that it had successfully completed trials of an automated Freight Forwarder Messaging system that will allow bookings to be instantly made and confirmed.

These pilots were undertaken with DHL Express and DB Schenker and completed successfully in March 2019, and are in the process of being progressively rolled out across their global operations as well as to other key forwarder customers.

Meanwhile, the airline said that it is also developing a new distribution channel featuring API along with web services to provide customers with quote-to-booking functionality before the start of the third quarter.

These two developments follow on from the airline implementing the IBS iCargo solution and an online booking portal in 2018.

Six months on from the launch of the portal, the airline has seen online bookings reach a penetration rate of 14.4% and it now has more than 6,000 registered users.

Rory Fidler, head of technology and innovation, Etihad Cargo, said: “Etihad has made great strides in implementing the first phase of its digital ambitions over the past 18 months. We placed investments in digital transformation and innovation at the core of our new strategy, underpinning a renewed customer-driven culture within the organisation.

“The fruits of that investment and hard work are transforming the way we interact and do business with our customers, and are opening up a multitude of future opportunities.

“Within such a short period of time we have gone from being a very conventional air cargo operator, to being the most digitized air cargo carrier of our size globally,” added Fidler. “As we move forward, we will continue to invest in technology and seek to put ourselves at the forefront of the industry’s drive for digitalisation.”