A view from the Board

Ajay Barolia, Senior Manager – Regional Cargo Operations Manager – Europe, Qatar Airways, explains the airline's proactive efforts as a member of Cargo iQ and the organization's valuable role in the sector.

Qatar Airways joined Cargo iQ in 2009, and I joined the Board a decade later in 2019. Right now, we are working with Cargo iQ on implementing a standard of measurement at product level in order to provide our customers with more relevant information. We are also preparing to implement the EHCP (Exception Handling Code Procedures) process, which will help in analysing failure reasons, and assist in establishing corrective and preventive actions. Furthermore, we conduct periodic reviews with our customers to address the challenges they face.

The biggest benefit of Cargo iQ is the standardisation of end-to-end shipment journey measurements. All stakeholders involved, such as airlines, freighter forwarders, GHAs, and Road Feeder Service (RFS) providers, speak the same language and follow common quality measurement standards. As a member, this gives us the opportunity to highlight issues concerning airfreight quality, and to seek common understanding and solutions for the benefit of everyone.

Quality has always been a core focus area for our organisation, and it is embedded in our values. Cargo iQ helps in demonstrating this commitment to our customers. It also provides a platform to discuss our problems and share best practices with other Cargo iQ members. The RFS sub-working group is an example where all the concerned stakeholders are working together to enhance customer visibility for shipments booked on RFS.

On the business side, complex market conditions, the emergence and rapid growth of ecommerce, as well as customer demand for improved quality and fast-paced service all pose a number of challenges for stakeholders. Within the supply chain itself, slow data transformation is a key challenge and one that became more exposed during the pandemic. COVID-19 highlighted the immediate requirement for new solutions, automation, and digitalisation.

Cargo iQ helps by providing data on a granular level. Details are displayed on lane basis, not just for a particular airline but for all Cargo iQ members. Also, various Cargo iQ sub working groups assist by addressing the industry's challenges in constructive discussions with Cargo iQ members.

The Cargo iQ group works towards a common messaging goal to ensure that data accuracy, transparency, and measurements can be seen by all of its members. This then allows members to challenge failures or identify areas for improvement. No single voice can significantly drive industry success. Instead, this is achieved by a collective, collaborative group that is always looking towards a common standardisation of an already fragmented industry. As a result of these common standards and data transparency, Cargo iQ serves as an important tool for members in improving both their own business processes as well as interface quality with their member partners.

Story edited by meantime.global