Qatar Airways Cargo has signed an agreement with logistics software solutions provider Descartes to integrate the Descartes vMail airmail management solution with its in-house Cargo Reservations, Operations, Accounting and Management Information Systems for electronic data interchange messaging.

The carrier has already implemented the automated system at more than 50 stations across its network and will roll it out to more stations in the coming months.

“The roll out of the automated mail management system across several destinations in our network will immensely benefit our customers and the flourishing e-commerce business Guillaume Halleux, chief cargo officer at Qatar Airways. “Our dedicated teams have been working hard for months to ensure the seamless integration and interface between the two data-heavy systems, Descartes vMail and our in-house CROAMIS system. This is certainly a game-changer in the industry as we move forward with our automation and digitalization initiatives that not only enhance the customer experience, but also demonstrate our contribution to the environment by implementing 100% paperless operations.”

Descartes vMail supports each of the carrier’s stations on demand 24 hours a day, enabling the complete automation of the airmail logistics chain from origin, through to the hub and onto the final destination. Other benefits include easy billing, robust revenue accounting and real-time track and trace of mail consignments.

“We are excited that Descartes vMail is helping Qatar Airways Cargo to fully automate mail management,” said Jos Nuijten, vice president of network integration strategy at Descartes. “As international e-commerce growth continues to increase demand for airmail transportation, our technology improves operational productivity and provides greater visibility essential to transforming the customer experience.”

Qatar Airways Cargo’s QR Mail product offers airmail transportation to global postal and e-commerce operators. The carrier has been equipping its network with electronic data interchange capability since October 2017, starting with the exchanges of CARDIT and RESDIT messages between postal entities and the airline that allow both parties to exchange handover and acknowledgement notifications of each mail item handled.

The carrier’s dedicated Airmail Unit at Hamad International Airport in Doha has a daily mail-handling capacity of 500 tonnes. Semi-automation will result in increased efficiency in the sorting and handling of postal units, allowing the airline to achieve accelerated turnaround times.

Airmail tonnage for 2017-18 increased year-on-year by 40%, with more than 100 tonnes of international airmail now transiting through the Doha hub every day, according to Qatar Airways Cargo.