The air cargo supply chain is making further steps toward better data transparency and connectivity as Champ Cargosystems announced the completion of the first phase of its IATA One Record pilot.

One Record defines a common API for all electronic platforms used by stakeholders in the supply chain, particularly those involved in the data provisioning process. This would standardise the data exchange protocol in the air cargo industry and is expected to provide better data quality, control, transparency, and ease of connectivity.

“I am positive that IATA’s initiative will yield many returns as it unlocks the possibilities of a full digital air cargo industry where airlines, their partners and service providers can work collaboratively,” said Guillaume Halleux, CEO at QR Cargo.

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CHAMP Cargosystems, along with Qatar Airways Cargo and Agility, has achieved the first phase milestones, which include the development of respective servers by Qatar Airways Cargo and CHAMP, server integration, data model alignment based on IATA guidelines, a customised security layer adoption, and exchange of AWB data between both servers.

“We have found that the IATA ONE Record concept is not only practical – but will also benefit the immediate stakeholders and industry to a greater extent,” said Nicholas Xenocostas, Vice President, commercial & customer engagement at Champ Cargosystems.

The first phase of the pilot kicked off in February 2020 and was completed in September 2020.

CHAMP noted that, despite the pandemic, stakeholders have put invaluable effort in ensuring the success of the first phase, particularly on the integration and data model front.

“This further supports the feasibility and value of implementing ONE Record elsewhere,” Champ added.