WFS works with Cathay Cargo and CHAMP on the launch of IATA ONE Record use case

As previously reported in ACN, Cathay Cargo, the freight operation of the Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific, is utilising CHAMP Cargosystems technology to go live with ONE Record in its first use case.

Cargo and ground handler Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a member of the SATS Group, is also playing its part in the joint use case of IATA’s ONE Record digital data-sharing standard.

The use case launch sees Cathay Cargo send shipment booking data to WFS in real-time via CHAMP’s 1Neo-Connect server using IATA’s ONE Record application programming interface (API) data standards.

This will replace the consolidated Flight Booking List (FBL) message, currently sent in a traditional Cargo-IMP format over the SITA and ARINC networks, WFS explained.

ONE Record creates a single record view of a shipment and defines a common data model for the data that is shared via standardised and secured web API.

According to a statement from the handler, through the collaboration between the three parties, initially for shipments between Paris Charles de Gaulle and Hong Kong, WFS, Cathay and CHAMP will establish a new way of exchanging data.

“As the use case progresses, and new trade lanes are added, it will be expanded to include a wide variety of data types, according to the IATA ONE Record data model.

“The aim is to receive more comprehensive data sooner to allow better operational decisions which enhance operational excellence and benefits for all partners,” WFS said.

Future ONE Record use cases are expected to include shipment records, accompanying documents, special cargo, checklists and other planning data to increase visibility and help cargo handlers manage workload.

WFS currently provides cargo handling services for Cathay Cargo in Belgium, France, Spain and the UK as well as in four major airport stations in North America – at Boston, Houston, Los Angeles and Miami – plus Bengaluru in India.

Pedro Garcia, chief information officer, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia (EMEAA) at WFS, remarked: “ONE Record is a step-change in the way the air cargo industry exchanges information and will take digitalisation to the next level to improve data visibility, transparency, quality and control.

“As leading players in the industry, WFS, Cathay Cargo and CHAMP are launching this use case to not only test its efficiency but to also signal our intent to move forward with ONE Record and make IATA’s implementation target date a reality.

“This is not about sending the same information via a different channel; it provides an opportunity to exchange much richer data with greater frequency and will lead to improved efficiency across the air cargo ecosystem.”

Chris McDermott, CHAMP’s chief executive, added: “It has been our privilege to work alongside Cathay Cargo and Worldwide Flight Services to bring this ONE Record use case into production.

“CHAMP sees ONE Record as the standard that will drive the full digitalisation of air cargo and enable new services, so it’s very exciting to see this implementation come to fruition.”

And Tom Owen, Cathay’s director cargo, said he was looking forward to “benefiting from ONE Record’s capabilities and continuing to work with both CHAMP and WFS on this initiative”.

Digitalisation has been a key focus of the IATA WCS being held in Hong Kong this week, between 12 and 14 March, representative of the fact that the trade association places such emphasis on digitalisation as a way of improving efficiency across the airfreight industry.