VIRGIN Atlantic Cargo is digitalizing and streamlining its internal processes to gain “better commercial and operational control” in the wake of increased shipment volumes accrued during the global health pandemic, writes Thelma Etim.
Dramatically increased cargo business – and with historically high yields in many markets – enabled Virgin Atlantic to make a profit during the worldwide COVID shutdowns in which the carrier instigated hundreds of cargo-only passenger aircraft services.
The UK-based carrier has selected technology disruptor Accelya to update its legacy ‘Voyager’ cargo management platform. The airline is transforming its technological infrastructure by adopting the software company’s FLX Cargo Platform, says a statement.
It digitalizes every aspect of Virgin’s cargo processes, allowing the carrier to customize its offerings on multiple levels – including the sales process, control distribution, optimize operations, manage invoicing and payment settlements more accurately, and also manage the order/lifecycle of its ULDs.
Accelya, which has more than 250 airline customers, says its cargo order (bookings) management system reduces order processing time and costs by managing the order creation process whilst also taking into account any amendment and cancellation processes. Bookings can also be tracked in real-time, it says.
Bryan Porter, senior vice-president of global sales and account management at Accelya, believes that Virgin Atlantic Cargo is an inspiring example of a smart-thinking airline –“that drove overall profitability through the pandemic with cargo.We are pleased to support the airline’s ongoing transformation to continue to grow and provide a market-leading cargo service,” he says.
Phil Wardlaw, managing director of Virgin Atlantic Cargo, observes that as it emerges from the pandemic, technology-based evolution is at the core of the Virgin’s journey to becoming the most loved cargo airline. “The very latest version of Accelya’s FLX Cargo Platform will enable a step-change in aiding our customers to connect anytime, anywhere, and via any channel,” he says.
Wardlaw believes the platform will allow the airline to continually improve and advance its services and digital proposition for customers. “Our teams are already well advanced on their path to an early 2023 implementation of the first in a series of exciting new developments and features [of the platform].
“Given our longstanding relationship with Accelya and their expertise in cargo technology solutions, they are the natural choice as a technology partner. The investment and development in the FLX platform are impressive and provide the foundations for a significant benefit to us and our customers’ businesses in the years ahead,” he adds.
