The world’s largest air freight wholesaler, Air Menzies International (AMI), claims it willoffer its freight, courier and express customers “information and services on a par with integrated
carriers” after agreeing to buy a package of data and data-management tools from OAG Cargo.AMI is to use the new web-based information tools to power its online portal MyAMI, giving itsfreight forwarding customers direct visibility of flight, capacity and pricing information on ascale not available to small and medium-sized freight forwarders until now from a single, ‘neutral’source. Previous attempts to create neutral air freight portals have either been primarilyrestricted to a limited number of multinational freight forwarders, as in the case of the portalGF-X, or a limited number of carriers, as with the CPS portal.
Although the system is designed primarily with general air freight in mind, it is also expectedto be used by AMI’s freight forwarding customers that have express or courier shipments – thefastest-growing sector of its business. AMI’s model involves pre-booking regular capacity withairlines, and selling it on to small and medium freight forwarders that have varying sizedshipments. These shipments are consolidated, often providing significantly discounted rates –particularly for smaller shipments – compared with those available for small and medium-sizedforwarders directly with airlines and express operators.
The multiple-year agreement, effective from 1 March, will see OAG Cargo deliver flight schedule,flight status and air freight rate management data and services to support AMI’s daily operationaland planning activities and to enhance their customer service levels. Initially, OAG Cargo willdeploy services for AMI in the US, with a view to providing the same level of support and dataglobally in the future. OAG Cargo has over 45,000 registered industry users globally and its AirFreight Rates Application (AFRA) publishes over four million tariffs on behalf of 890 airlines.
Peter Weir, senior VP of AMI, said: “This contract represents a win-win for us because theservices and information OAG Cargo will provide will be invaluable both within AMI’s own businessand for our customers in their operations and communications with their own clients. It allows AMIto provide accurate and timely flight and shipment information to our freight forwarder customerswhile, in addition, AFRA gives us the ability to electronically receive our rates from our airlinepartners, and manage and distribute these to our forwarder customers in a cost-effective and timelymanner, ensuring cost savings throughout the supply chain.”
Bart Jan Haasbeek, VP for sales at OAG Cargo, said: “Working with us as the preferred supplierenables AMI to demonstrate an integrated solution rather than a pure product and data sale orprovision that will enable AMI to increase customer satisfaction and provide relevant real-timeinformation.”
AMI was founded in 1976 and has grown to become the world’s largest trade-only air freightwholesaler, with 21 offices on 5 continents, and service partners in 240 further locations.
