Air cargo portal

Four key Asia Pacific air freight carriers have launched an Internet-based cargo portal.

Cathay Pacific Cargo, Japan Airlines, Qantas Freight and Singapore Airlines Cargo recently signed a memorandum of understanding to be partners of the new portal, which currently has the working title Air Cargo Exchange. The portal will start operating by the middle of 2003.

At the heart of Air Cargo Exchange will be a joint operation provided by Cargo Community Network Singapore (CCN) and Global Logistics System Hong Kong (GLSHK), also known as Traxon Hong Kong.

Initially, customers will be able to make allotment and free-sale bookings, conduct tracking and tracing, and review flight schedules on the four carriers before additional capability is added within 12 months.

Customers will get value through the ability to select information and book space with multiple carriers on a single site, making bookings quicker and easier.

Air Cargo Exchange will initially be launched in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore and is expected to expand globally with other carriers invited to join.