Cathay Pacific Cargo, Japan Airlines Cargo, Qantas Freight and Singapore Airlines Cargo recently signed a memorandum of understanding to be partners of the new portal, which currently has the working title Air Cargo Exchange ( The formal title will be announced prior to the portal's start of operations, expected for middle of 2003. )

Initially, customers will be able to make allotment and free-sale bookings, conduct tracking and tracing, and review flight schedules on the four carriers before additional capability is added within 12 months.

Customers will reap additional value through the ability to select information and book space with multiple carriers on a single site, making bookings quicker and easier.

The President of Japan Airlines Cargo, Mr Juntaro Shimizu, said: "We are working closely with the other carriers and the developers on an initiative that we are confident will provide efficiency and value to our customers."

President of Singapore Airlines Cargo , Mr Hwang Teng Aun, said: "In an increasingly price sensitive and competitive industry, this internet-based initiative will provide fast and easy access for customers at a sustainable cost for both the forwarder and the airline."

Qantas Airways Group General Manager Freight Peter Frampton said: "We have all invested in e-business functionality on our own web sites to add value for customers and our business. This venture is a natural extension of these developments and will provide customers with greater choice and access."

Air Cargo Exchange will initially be launched in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore and is expected to expand globally with other carriers invited to join.

At the heart of Air Cargo Exchange will be a joint operation provided by two of the industry most innovative cargo community systems - Cargo Community Network Singapore (CCN) and Global Logistics System Hong Kong (GLSHK), also known as Traxon Hong Kong - which are working closely with the airlines.

The launch adds a new competitor to air industry portal market, joining Global Freight Exchange (GF-X), operative as from 2.000, and Cargo Portal Services, which began operations last month (See Transportando.net news 03-02-2003 ).

GF-X is dominated basically by European forwarders and carriers ( British Airways and Lufthansa Cargo between others ), while CPS was recently launched by three North American carriers - Air Canada, Northwest Airlines and United Airlines.