Air Menzies International (AMI) has signed a contract with OAG Cargo for a series of new web-based strategic and tactical information and management tools that will enable AMI and its freight forwarding, courier and express customers to receive and provide information and services on a par with integrated carriers.

The multiple-year agreement, effective from March 1st 2011, will see OAG Cargo deliver Flight Schedule, Flight Status and Air Freight Rate Management data and services to support AMI's daily operational and planning activities and to enhance their customer service levels. Initially, OAG Cargo will deploy services for AMI in the USA with a view to providing the same level of cost effective support and data globally in the future.

Based on its knowledge and expertise in data supply and management as well as data integration capabilities, OAG Cargo's solutions provide one-stop access to real-time schedules, shipment routings, bookings and software applications that increase the accuracy, productivity and the flexibility of cargo operations. OAG Cargo has over 45,000 registered industry users globally and its Air Freight Rates Application (AFRA) publishes over four million tariffs on behalf of 890 airlines.

Peter Weir, Senior Vice President of AMI, said: 'This contract represents a win/win for us because the services and information OAG Cargo will provide will be invaluable both within AMI's own business and for our customers in their operations and communications with their own clients. It allows AMI to provide accurate and timely flight and shipment information to our freight forwarder customers while, in addition, AFRA gives us the ability to electronically receive our rates from our airline partners, and manage and distribute these to our forwarder customers in a cost effective and timely manner, ensuring cost savings throughout the supply chain.'


AMI was founded in 1976 and has grown to become the world's largest trade-only airfreight wholesaler, with 21 offices on 5 continents, and service partners in 240 further locations.

Bart Jan Haasbeek, VP Sales, OAG Cargo, added: 'Working with us as the preferred supplier enables AMI to demonstrate an integrated solution rather than a pure product and data sale/provision. OAG Cargo are in a prime position to be able to provide appropriate data and technology solutions to drive AMI's core activities that will enable AMI to increase customer satisfaction and provide relevant real-time information.'
OAG Cargo's business is to deliver decision support tools that can be integrated into a customer's workflow to optimise the planning of air shipments.

Earlier this month it launched another new web-based solution with the introduction of DG Online in partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This enables airlines, freight forwarders and shippers to gain faster access to the latest regulations and information for the carriage of dangerous goods by air in an online format.