Seeing the opportunity offered by technological innovation, IAG Cargo has been making substantial investments in digitalisation to enhance their online platform, improve customer interaction, and expand its digital initiatives.
Working on seamless integration of digital projects, IAG Cargo is focused on enhancing track and trace capabilities and gathering insightful data related to booking dimensions.
“Digital transformation is fundamental to the future of the airfreight industry, and we’re committed to evolving with technological advancements amidst changing market dynamics,” John Cheetham, Chief Commercial Officer at IAG Cargo, said. “We’re utilising various digital technologies and tools to streamline our operations. This is no more evident than in our new cargo handling facility, New Premia, that we opened at our London Heathrow hub earlier in the year.”
With bespoke IT system upgrades and integrations that optimise how freight is moved and allocated within the facility, this state-of-the-art technology has been designed to make IAG Cargo smarter and faster.
The automated Material Handling System allows cargo handlers to manage the flow of productivity through New Premia – enabling double the amount of cargo to be managed daily.
Furthermore, cutting-edge air-curtain technology creates a thermal barrier and regulates temperatures within New Premia, ensuring cargo is kept at the appropriate temperatures.
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Simplifying cargo clearance
Through the digitalisation of documentation and paperwork IAG Cargo offers a more seamless end-to-end service for its customers, with improved messaging and data quality by reducing the chance of human error.
By continually investing in enhancing the functionality of IAGCargo.com, the carrier hopes to create a more robust platform for direct customer interaction and enhance the accessibility of its extensive network for customers, wherever they are in the world.”
“At IAG Cargo, we are actively working towards achieving 100% e-AWB adoption throughout our network to eliminate the need for paper documents by the end of the year as part of our digitalisation programme – Destination Digital,” Cheetham stated.
“Digitalisation boosts customer experience by streamlining operations to improve organisational capabilities, enhance data management, and increase efficiency,” he added.
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Smooth supply chain
As an industry, airfreight has moved at a slower pace in terms of its digital offering. However, IAG Cargo is confident that the pace of digital transformation in the industry will continue to evolve, driven by both technological advancements and changing market dynamics.
IAG Cargo is making substantial technological investments, migrating to a cloud-first approach, and enhancing its online booking capabilities. The carrier also understands the importance of collaboration with external stakeholders, for example through IAG’s Hanger 51 accelerator programme which gives start-ups the chance to develop and pilot innovative solutions for global business transformation plans.
One significant investment involves the implementation of a new Material Handling System at IAG Cargo’s Madrid hub – which enhances efficiency and automation of cargo handling processes. Additionally, they are in the process of moving to a cloud-first approach, with the goal of having 100% of their applications migrated to cloud environments in the nearby future which will provide them with scalability, flexibility, and improved data accessibility.
“Specific challenges facing IAG Cargo include the need to integrate all our digital initiatives seamlessly, with a particular focus on enhancing track and trace capabilities and gathering more insightful data related to booking dimensions,” Cheetham explained. “This drives efficiency into the business and ultimately enables us to offer a better service to our customers.”
“Ongoing technological investments are vital to meet customer demands and stay competitive,” Cheetham continued.
