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© Theerapan Bhumirat |

Air freight booking platforms have resisted the urge to allow shippers to book online, fearing a backlash from carriers.

However, some forwarders say they have no objection to shippers accessing prices, having held tripartite discussions for years.

“I would have no issues with a carrier advertising directly ...

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  • John Smith

    June 24, 2020 at 2:30 pm

    This article sounds more like a booking platform advertising article than a piece of journalism. Title says “forwarders” (plural), but only one forwarder is interviewed. Although online bookings is the “next big thing”, I am not sure forwarders will benefit from it, and most of them definately mistrust them.

    • Alex Lennane

      June 24, 2020 at 2:35 pm

      While only one forwarder may have been mentioned, we talk widely to lots of forwarders, but many prefer not to be quoted at all, however anonymously. As this forwarder suggests, there is more to the business than just one transparent rate quote.

  • MileX

    June 25, 2020 at 12:27 am

    Rubbish, name the mid-size forwarder who said that. Go on, name them if this isn’t complete bull and actually journalism

    • Alex Lennane

      June 25, 2020 at 12:14 pm

      We don’t name our off-the-record sources, but I can assure you I have better things to do than make stuff up! The forwarder in question responded to your comment: “It’s the multinationals – they try to keep it a dark art. It’s a glorified taxi cab booking. I’ve been doing tripartite for years. Probably part of why we’ve been so successful on air freight.”

      And perhaps I can refer you to the discussion on this article on LinkedIn, which shows that this is a real issue.