Page 14 - STAT October 2023 for Magzter only

interview

TECHNOLOGY

ACCEPTANCE IS

A MINDSET THAT

IS EVOLVING

In an exclusive interview with The STAT Trade Times Edip Pektas, You often mention that Airblox
the founder of Airblox hinted at an impending financial product will boost access to financing by
connecting the financial markets
that will offer speedier and more cost-effective payment options. with the logistics industry. Could
Zinal Dedhia you shed some light on this?
Pektas: Many of our freight forwarders
irblox launched in 2022 with with a wealth of experience as an Executive who have financial needs have access to
an aim to create and exchange Vice President, Airfreight Strategy and Carrier our financial service providers such as tech
electronic block space agree- Development at Flexport, senior advisor at lenders and tech-based insurance providers.
Aments (eBSAs) between airlines Boston Consulting Group, member of the Our value offer to the airline is that Airblox
and freight forwarders and make the plat- board of trustees at TIACA, board of directors will pay your bill directly. If a freight forwarder
form the future of air cargo. at Amerijet and Global K9 Protection Group. comes to us, we can solidify the demand for
Pektas discussed the company's ambitious Shah highlighted the platform's ability that specific channel and receive a greater
aim to change the logistics business with its to establish a marketplace that benefits price. We act as a middleman, providing
innovative financial platform. Airblox, a rela- not only major players but also midsize better pricing for freight forwarders,
tively new player in the field, has already made forwarders, shippers, and airlines in the and we pay the airline on the date
significant headway and is expanding relation- interview. Shah's considerable expertise in of departure or earlier, depending
ships by bridging the gap between financial the aviation freight sector adds great depth on our payment terms, then our
markets and the logistics business. to Airblox's aim of bringing both parties to- lenders provide financing to the
The platform recently welcomed Neel gether under one umbrella. Here are edited freight forwarders who have
Jones Shah to the Airblox board. Shah comes excerpts from the interview. committed to that contract.
12 | OCTOBER 2023 www.stattimes.com