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Spending the week on the ground at the IATA World Cargo Symposium (WCS) in Dubai last month, one thing stood out clearly: the pressure to modernize air cargo is no longer a future challenge — it’s a right-now imperative.
At our Accelya breakfast workshop, I had the privilege of listening firsthand to the industry voices driving this transformation.
Held in an intimate setting with over 40 senior airline leaders and industry experts, the session featured voices from across the ecosystem: airline executives, cloud technology leaders, and product strategists. It wasn’t just a panel discussion — it was a strategic conversation about what modernization really demands.
A moment of clarity: “Modernization is no longer optional.”
The session opened with a keynote from Stan Wraight, President & CEO of SASI World, who delivered a compelling case for urgent transformation.
He highlighted how legacy practices like shipment consolidation, once efficient, now create excessive transit delays and rising costs — unacceptable in an era shaped by eCommerce, speed, and transparency.
Stan’s message was clear: the cargo industry is still dependent on legacy CMS systems that were never built for today’s real-time, data-driven world. These platforms lack the flexibility and integration needed to deliver on customer expectations and ecosystem collaboration.
To move forward, Stan urged a shift toward open, API-first platforms, built to integrate across partners — from ground handlers to third-party providers — and designed to deliver end-to-end experiences for the Beneficial Cargo Owner (BCO).
Modernization must be customer-driven
Janne Jutila, Head of Strategic Business Development at SAS Cargo, shared how their transformation is rooted in customer-centricity. With over 70% of bookings now digital, SAS Cargo has focused on simplifying touchpoints, enabling smarter pricing, and building a more agile operation.
What drove the shift? The realization that legacy systems couldn’t keep pace with customers’ expectations — or support new distribution models.
“Digitalization for us is a key driver for profitable with customer service and operational excellence at the core.”
The need for scalable, future-proof technology
Robin Kanthareuben, Technology Leader – Travel & Hospitality at AWS, offered the tech perspective — comparing air cargo’s evolution to that of retail and logistics.
He emphasized that the building blocks already exist: cloud-native platforms, AI, API-first infrastructure. What’s needed now is bold adoption and industry alignment.
He emphasized that many industries have made the leap. In cargo, we’re now seeing that same inflection point — where data, scalability, and ecosystem thinking will define who leads. Airlines need architecture that lets them scale, integrate quickly, and evolve with business demands.
Introducing FLX ONE Cargo: From conversations to action
The conversation at the workshop made one thing clear: the industry isn’t asking for more technology — it’s asking for the right technology.
That’s why Accelya built FLX ONE Cargo — a next-generation, AI-powered platform designed to help airlines shift from legacy constraints to digital possibilities. Unveiled at WCS, it’s purpose-built to meet the operational, financial, and customer experience demands discussed throughout the session.
It reflects the very principles echoed across the workshop:
- Openness: At the heart of the platform is an API-first architecture, designed to break down silos and connect seamlessly with third-party providers, forwarders, ground handlers, and other ecosystem partners. As the panelists echoed during the session, modernization can’t happen in isolation — it must be collaborative.
- Intelligence: The platform brings AI-powered forecasting and automation that help airlines make better decisions — faster. From smarter overbooking to capacity planning, intelligence is no longer an afterthought — it’s built in.
- Modularity: One of the key takeaways from the discussion was that transformation isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey. FLX ONE Cargo is modular by design, enabling airlines to activate capabilities as they grow — whether it’s pricing, digital distribution, or ecommerce-ready fulfillment. The platform evolves with the business.
- End-to-end design: From offer creation to revenue accounting, FLX ONE Cargo supports the full cargo lifecycle with accuracy and transparency.
Why Accelya is ready to power what’s next
With a proven track record of powering over 30% of global air cargo and processing $23B+ in cargo revenue annually, Accelya is no stranger to the operational and financial complexity of the industry.
But what sets us apart is how we approach modernization:
- With a retail-first mindset, inspired by decades of airline transformation
- With cloud-native, modular solutions that scale at the speed of the market
- And with an ecosystem approach, working with airlines, technology partners, and marketplaces alike – to enable real collaboration
As the session wrapped up, it was clear that transformation in air cargo isn’t just a tech challenge. It’s a mindset shift. A commitment to openness, collaboration, and acting with urgency.
And that’s exactly what FLX ONE Cargo — and this community — is ready for.
🎥 Watch FLX ONE Cargo in action → Video
📰 Read the launch story → Press Release
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