Airport Cargo Community Systems deliver proven ROI and are accelerating air cargo digital transformation

Air Cargo Community Systems (ACCS) are delivering measurable commercial and operational returns across the air cargo industry, with 63.1 per cent of users reporting the benefits of adoption outweigh implementation costs, according to a new white paper.

The research, commissioned by Kalé Logistics (Kalé) and conducted by Transport Intelligence (Ti), also found that 68.2 per cent of users reported improved collaboration between cargo stakeholders, while 59.1 per cent experienced greater end-to-end cargo visibility.

One organization surveyed estimated annual savings of USD 2.1 million following implementation, providing compelling evidence of the commercial value ACCS can deliver.

"Organizations already using Air Cargo Community Systems report measurable commercial and operational benefits, while perhaps the most significant finding from the research is that organizations yet to adopt the technology already recognize its value,” said Amar More, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Kalé.

“The question is no longer whether Air Cargo Community Systems work, but how quickly businesses can implement them and begin realizing the benefits."

Key findings:

• 63.1% of users said the benefits of ACCS outweigh implementation costs.
• 68.2% reported improved collaboration across cargo stakeholders.
• 59.1% experienced greater end-to-end cargo visibility.
• One organization reported USD 2.1 million in annual operational savings after implementation.
• 62% of non-users believe failing to implement ACCS will reduce their competitiveness within 24 months.
• 60.5% expect operating costs to rise if digital transformation is delayed.

The research also revealed that 46 per cent of organizations continue to rely primarily on email or FTP to exchange information with external stakeholders, highlighting the continued use of fragmented communication methods across the air cargo supply chain.

"Air cargo is one of the world's most time-critical industries, yet many organizations still rely on disconnected processes to exchange operational information," said Viki Keckarovska, Research Manager, Transport Intelligence.

"Our research demonstrates that the commercial case for Air Cargo Community Systems is now supported by operational evidence.

“Users are reporting measurable improvements, while non-adopters largely recognize the potential benefits. The remaining barriers are practical rather than conceptual, giving the industry a clear opportunity to accelerate digital adoption."

The white paper, The Missing Layer: How Airport Cargo Community Systems are Closing the Industry's Information Gap, was launched today during a virtual event.

The event was attended by Glyn Hughes, Director General, The International Air Cargo Association, and Nico de Cauwer, Security General, International Port Community System Association, who provided insight into what the research means for the air cargo industry.

“This research shows that digitalization is already delivering measurable benefits across the air cargo industry, from stronger collaboration to better visibility and lower operating costs,” said Glyn Hughes, Director General, The International Air Cargo Association.

“The message for the industry is clear: we need to move beyond isolated systems and commit to shared standards, connected platforms, and trusted data exchange, so that these gains can be realized across the entire cargo community.”