Ethiopian Cargo has signed up to use the cargo.one online marketplace to digitise its cargo booking processes with freight forwarders.

The African carrier will benefit from instant booking on the online booking platform thanks to the deal announced at last week’s Air Cargo Europe trade show in Munich.

Cargo.one is the first digital sales channel the airline has agreed to use and it will work closely with online sales experts at the developer as it establishes its digital presence.

Ethiopian Cargo will gain insights from cargo.one’s 360leap service to optimise its offer quality and capitalise on the airline’s exclusive offers for the African continent.

Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines Group chief executive, said: “Digital sales will become a vital part of our future. Joining forces with cargo.one is the natural choice when looking for an experienced partner to enable the transition to digital sales.

“Collaboratively, we will extend Ethiopian Cargo’s reach and launch digital customer experiences at the very top of the league. cargo.one as a partner shares our own passion and drive to help boost Ethiopian Cargo to become a digital cargo role model not only for Africa, but internationally”.

Ethiopian Cargo has ambitious growth plans as it aims to break into the top 20 cargo airlines worldwide by 2025.

The carrier operates Africa’s largest air cargo network that currently covers 130 destinations using both its freighters and passenger services.

In addition to its connectivity, Ethiopian Cargo offers forwarders flexibility, including high speed and priority shipments.

Working with cargo.one Ethiopian Cargo will grow its visibility with agents worldwide and offer a leading online experience for booking cargo.

More than 40 of the world’s leading airlines currently use cargo.one which is available in 76 countries. Ethiopian Cargo will be available to book from late summer.

Moritz Claussen, founder and co-chief executive of cargo.one, said: “We are honoured to play a pivotal role in the digital transformation of Ethiopian Cargo as its primary digital sales channel.

“Many thousands of forwarders on cargo.one now look forward to a new age of access and convenience for its capacities.

“For Ethiopian Cargo, this key step forward will be instrumental in powering sales and brand growth, and seizing more of its huge potential for important freight markets.”