LH Cargo has introduced “smartBooking” - a new digital interface providing the market with a binding transport offer that can be booked online immediately. In a release, the carrier points out that the new digital tool contains specifics such as the available routings, capacities and prices. In addition, the API automatically executes all relevant checks. This means that capacity can be booked in real time and will be confirmed immediately.
The carrier’s latest online tool “smartBooking” closes the final gap in their offer to book air freight electronically, this way ending once and for all the long-lasting, fault-prone and
time-consuming era of traditional paperwork processes.
In addition to the carrier’s direct customers, other partners such as the platform cargo.one are invited to shift their systems to the new and broader platform that offers additional features
such as booking updates or cancellations of transports previously reserved and allocated to them.
“Thanks to these enrichments, it can be expected that the number of no shows will be significantly reduced, and the planning reliability improved,” explains spokesperson Laura Weritz of
cargo.one. She announced that a number of new features will be added to the platform shortly, making the tool even more attractive, but when asked did not specify them.
Cargo.one is first user
On the occasion of the API launch, CEO Peter Gerber of Lufthansa Cargo commented: "We want to offer our customers seamless digital solutions. To achieve this, we connect digitally with our
partners throughout the transport chain.” Mr Gerber went on to say: “smartBooking is another major step in our digital transformation process. APIs will continue to gain in importance as an
interface to our customers. We are delighted that as first platform our partner cargo.one is using smartBooking, making our services digitally available to many customers."
APIs are state-of-the art interfaces in a digital world and enable system-to-system communication. They allow networking both with booking platforms and directly with forwarders. Air cargo
customers can access the cargo.one booking platform directly via the Internet. The API also enables Lufthansa Cargo data to be directly integrated into customers' systems.
Big appetite
In a first reaction to Mr Gerber’s statement, MD Oliver Neumann of cargo.one said: "We are excited to be the first Lufthansa Cargo partner to benefit from the new smartBooking API.” He went on to
say that data evidence that cargo one’s digital distribution channel has upped the booking volumes of partner airlines significantly. However, his and his company’s appetite is even bigger: “Our
aim is to deliver the best customer experience possible and to drive value and efficiency for the air freight industry,” he adds confidently.
Lufthansa Cargo joined forces with the digital booking platform cargo.one in July 2018 by becoming a stakeholder. Now, about a year after launching, the platform is a rapidly growing third-party
distribution channel next to Lufthansa Cargo’s own ebooking channel.
Only a week ago, cargo.one and Nippon Cargo Airlines had inked a cooperation agreement to up freight bookings and scale down paperwork. Other partners next to LH Cargo and NCA are Finnair Cargo,
Brussels Airlines Cargo, El Al Cargo, AirBridgeCargo and Eurowings.
Heiner Siegmund
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