Lufthansa Cargo announced that a direct API (Application Programming Interface) connection with DB Schenker's booking system would begin this month.

It said that by using this digital service, DB Schenker would not only benefit from an easier offer search and booking but also from full offer transparency in real-time.

By linking their Transport Management System (TMS) directly to Lufthansa Cargo's booking system, the cargo carrier said forwarders such as long-standing customer DB Schenker could structure offers according to their needs and use available booking options immediately.

To start with, DB Schenker is using the interface to book standard products such as General Cargo (td.pro and td.flash), with the option to extend to special products.

"At Lufthansa Cargo, we rely on digital solutions that offer our customers clear added value — be it in search and booking processes or the management of the same. smartBooking is one such solution: Current offer data is transmitted quickly, seamlessly and transparently in this way, in line with our customer's respective needs," said Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo.

"The fact that our long-standing Global Partner DB Schenker is now successfully connected to Lufthansa Cargo via this API link is something we are very pleased about and motivates us to continuously develop our digital services and solutions," he added.

Lufthansa noted that such an API connection to Lufthansa Cargo is free of charge for customers and partners, and the same applies to newly introduced functions that are added over time, and the system can be customized to meet specific customer needs.

It added that in just a few months, DB Schenker has now been using the smartBooking interface to Lufthansa Cargo since the middle of the month as part of a worldwide rollout.

This includes DB Schenker stations worldwide, which can call up, compare, book and manage offers for standard products and, in the future, extended product options from Lufthansa Cargo.

"The long-standing cooperation and trust between Lufthansa Cargo and DB Schenker was key for the implementation of the API interface. Direct access to Lufthansa Cargo's dynamic pricing from our in-house Transport Management System will boost the user experience," said Asok Kumar, EVP of Global Air Freight at DB Schenker.

"Our customers will benefit from the additional efficiency," he added.

Lufthansa Cargo's smartBooking API is a digital interface that maps the booking process for customers and partners in a fully digitalized way, making it even easier and more targeted  — allowing customers to receive information on up to 40 routes per product with the corresponding best prices directly into their booking system around the clock.

All offers are also fully validated and immediately bookable. This also eliminates the need for duplicate data entry.