DB Schenker has expanded its digital connectivity to more airlines for online bookings through a new partnership with cargo.one.

The forwarder has recently been ramping up its API connections with its airline partners to streamline the booking process and said the new cargo.one partnership will give it digital access to the live capacity of 50 airlines.

 [Source: DB Schenker]

DB Schenker noted that from now on, it can better identify suitable capacities and fitting rates for ad-hoc shipments of its customers. 

"The collaboration enhances the global logistics service provider's portfolio of live capacity access from nine originally to over 50 airlines in total," it said.

DB Schenker noted that the demand for rapid short-dated sourcing of air freight capacities and market prices has grown in relevance as global supply chain disruptions have become a normality and e-commerce demand for air transport keeps rising.

Therefore, since 2022, DB Schenker has established direct API interfaces with nine airlines from Europe, North and South America, the Middle East and Asia.

"We continue to digitalize transportation by establishing solutions that are highly demanded on the market. By boosting our access to available airline capacities, we save time for our customers and make processes faster, smoother, and more efficient for them," said Thorsten Meincke, global board member for Air & Ocean Freight, DB Schenker.

Christa Koenen, global board member for information technology and digitalization (CIO/CDO), DB Schenker, said efficiency gains accomplished through IT help to make the entire logistics industry more resource efficient.

"The more carriers DB Schenker connects to digitally and thus automates and optimizes processes, the better the final choice for our customers will be. The concept is comparable with automated last-minute deals from airlines or travel agents," Koenen added.

DB Schenker had previously created direct API connections with Cargolux (November 2022), Qatar Airways Cargo (May 2023), Lufthansa Cargo (June 2023), Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (August 2023), American Airlines Cargo (November 2023), Cathay Cargo (December 2023), Emirates SkyCargo (April 2024), Avianca Cargo (May 2024). 

cargo.one acts as a digital connector between airlines and freight forwarders. With the new collaboration, DB Schenker will receive access to seamlessly book with over 50 airlines in total and cargo.one's continuous carrier growth. 

DB Schenker's digital infrastructure for air freight draws on an integrated landscape of six systems. 

"With cargo.one, DB Schenker will inquire with a much larger number of airlines (four times as many, on average) for quote requests from customers," the announcement said.