Hainan Airlines (HNA Cargo), a top five airline in China, has partnered with Freightos to offer its capacity to WebCargo's digital air cargo booking and payment platform.

In the announcement, Freightos said this collaboration marks a significant expansion of the capacity available for forwarders on the platform in Asia Pacific and Europe.

Additionally, WebCargo's digital payment solution now supports transactions with HNA Cargo, enabling forwarders to seamlessly book and pay for shipments through a single interface.

"With the addition of Hainan Airlines, 3 out of China's 4 major air cargo carriers—Hainan Airlines, China Southern, and China Eastern—will now be accessible to thousands of global forwarders large and small that book on WebCargo's platform, with airlines representing 65% of global capacity now available on the platform," it said.

HNA Cargo operates a vast network of over 600 aircraft across 11 airlines, covering more than 2,000 routes and serving over 300 cities worldwide.

The company is a key player in both international and domestic belly cargo, offering reliable transportation for perishables and specialized goods across its vast network.

"We have placed a strong emphasis on enhancing our Asian air cargo coverage for forwarders on WebCargo by Freightos," said Joyce Tai, Freightos' EVP of Worldwide Partnerships.

"This integration will provide forwarders with seamless access to HNA Cargo's extensive capacity, including direct routes into China and across the Asia Pacific region, and trade patterns that demand flexible air cargo solutions."

Qiushi Zheng, vice president at HNA Cargo, noted that partnering with WebCargo by Freightos represents a major advancement in the company's digital strategy.

"With a network that spans over 300 cities and more than 2,000 global routes, this collaboration allows us to better leverage our extensive capacity to meet the evolving needs of the market. Gaining access to over 10,000 freight forwarder offices worldwide through Freightos's innovative platform will enhance our ability to deliver efficient and reliable service," Zheng said.

"Additionally, their advanced booking and payment solutions will help us optimize our digital sales approach, ensuring more and more customers can book and pay on one platform digitally, daily and globally."

HNA Cargo's capacity will first launch in key North Asian and Southeast Asian Markets including Japan, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand.

Customers can take advantage of WebCargo Pay's innovative payment options to book directly with HNA Cargo without needing an IATA license or a bank guarantee while paying with various payment methods, including credit lines, credit cards, and prepaid options.

WebCargo's digital platform also provides real-time visibility into charges and invoices, simplifying budgeting and reconciliation processes for users.