IAG Cargo partners with IATA's Net Rates platform to expand digital offering

The cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG Cargo) has partnered with IATA’s air cargo rates distribution platform, IATA Net Rates, to offer an additional platform which customers can use to do business with IAG Cargo. As the industry continues to progress digitally, IAG Cargo has significantly invested in developing its APIs, offering instant access to rates and availability, facilitating real-time bookings to any of its hundreds of destinations. This partnership extends that commitment to its customers and through IATA Net Rates, the cargo division will be able to grow its reach further.

Recently launched for the South Africa market and rolling out globally shortly, IATA Net Rates’ all-in-one platform offers freight forwarders the latest information on rates, tariffs and rules that can be integrated directly into customer systems, accelerating the distribution of rates to market whilst simplifying and reducing the cost of rate handling procedures. For freight forwarders, this streamlined process and on-demand access to the latest data means huge potential gains in accuracy and productivity.

John Cheetham, chief commercial officer at IAG Cargo, commented, “We are delighted to announce this partnership. It represents yet another step in our journey to innovate and simplify how logistics works; improving how we deliver for our customers and making it easier for them to do business with us. The pandemic has accelerated the appetite for digitalisation across the air cargo industry, challenging traditional processes and setting new standards of efficiency.”

He added, “Signing up to IATA Net Rates is one of many ways in which we are continuing to offer customers a range of options as the industry embraces digitalisation. Giving choices to customers is part of delivering high levels of customer service, whether they choose to book via IAGCargo.com, their own system, or a third-party platform. Complementing our own online booking site, this is another step in our commitment to save customers valuable time and effort by eliminating manual, labour-intensive processes.”

Frederic Leger, director, Airport Passenger Cargo and Security Products said, “IATA is very pleased to welcome IAG Cargo to the IATA Net Rates platform to support their efficient cargo rates distribution and booking capabilities, across the different airlines of the group. By using IATA Net Rates, IAG Cargo expands their ability to reach their customers and provide effective digital solutions for distribution and booking.”

The global Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the critical role of air cargo. IATA Net Rates supports real time rates distribution, dynamic pricing & booking. This is even more essential in the current crisis to ensure critical medical supplies get where they are needed when they are needed.