Air freight forwarding is one of the trickier parts of logistics, with fluctuating rates, typical cross-border concerns, and a need to resolve potential problems (especially delays) proactively. This is where air freight forwarding software enters the picture and helps solve pinpointed problems to improve both efficiency, visibility, and compliance. In this article, we look at the main features of such solutions, discuss some of the most popular ones, their differences and similarities, and analyze where to look when choosing the right toolkit.
What is air freight management software?
In practice, air freight software is any digital toolkit designed to optimize or streamline the logistics of air cargo. The target users of such systems include freight forwarders, carriers, and logistics companies, all with their different needs: managing booking, tracking shipments in real time, handling (and now generating) documentation, and the like. Compliance is also a major piece of the puzzle.
Of course, to work properly, this kind of software will need integrations with customs platforms, airline networks, and ERP systems – the major benefit being that with automation, human error is minimized, while everything happens cheaper and faster.
As global air cargo volumes are expected to exceed 65 million metric tons by 2025 (IATA), the demand for reliable technology is surging. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 8% through 2030, driven by increased eCommerce activity and rising expectations for faster delivery. Which, in turn, means that formerly obscure systems are now filling the gaps.
The benefits of air freight software
This kind of software has already justified its existence, too – adopters are now reporting several major benefits:
- Time savings due to automated booking and documentation. In this way, manual data entry can be reduced by up to 70%, translating into faster turnaround times and fewer errors. Plus, real-time tracking is convenient if you want to be proactive about solving the possible delay problems.
- Cost reduction is another key advantage, and this is achieved in several ways. First, it’s route optimization and shipment consolidation, saving about 10-15% of operational costs. Secondly, with proper built-in compliance tools, organizations can reduce the risk of fines or delays.
- Finally, centralized data management is a good background for implementing advanced analytics and forecasting, meaning forwarders can make smarter decisions on the go while also having the big picture at hand.
Top 7 features of a good air freight software solution
What’s interesting about air freight solutions is their diversity. After all, the goal here is not digitization for its own sake, but solving problems with efficiency, accuracy, and visibility, plus different companies have different needs, so the resulting toolkits can vary a lot. Here are the seven most essential features:
#1 Automated booking & scheduling
A modern air freight system streamlines the booking process by automating how shipments are scheduled with airlines. This reduces manual input and minimizes errors, cutting administrative workload by up to 70%, according to a 2023 Transport Intelligence report. Automated tools also offer optimized flight options based on time, cost, or carrier preferences. This is what platforms like CargoWise offer: digital bookings with real-time airline availability, enabling freight forwarders to confirm routes in minutes instead of hours.
#2 Real-time shipment tracking
In air cargo management, timing is even more important than on land. Real-time tracking provides live updates from origin to destination, integrating data from airlines and IoT devices. This, in turn, helps be proactive when dealing with potential disruptions. According to McKinsey, companies using visibility platforms report a 25% drop in delivery delays and 30% faster issue resolution. As an example, Project44 and FourKites deliver GPS-based tracking dashboards with automated alerts for late arrivals or re-routing.
#3 Electronic Air Waybill (e-AWB) generation
Air waybills and other documents are notorious for delaying the shipment process when they are handled in paper form. Meanwhile, there are eAWB tools that allow users to generate, transmit, and store air waybills digitally in compliance with IATA standards, improving accuracy and reducing delays at customs. IATA estimates full e-AWB adoption could save the industry $1.2 billion annually by cutting document processing time up to 80%.
#4 Customs compliance
On a related note, customs regulations also tend to produce a lot of paperwork, so automating it is one of the essential features. Platforms like Descartes (and others) incorporate tools to generate invoices, packing lists, and offer compliance checks. As a result, DHL reports automation reduces customs-related delays by 35% and cuts documentation errors in half.
#5 Rate management and instant quoting
Another useful feature is the tool that allows to compare quotes from multiple carriers and generate detailed cost breakdowns (based on fluctuating factors like fuel surcharges, taxes, and real-time availability). Some platforms like WebCargo offer quoting functionalities that are directly linked to airline pricing systems. Overall, such tools are known to account for 40% faster response times and 10-20% more bookings.
#6 Analytics and dashboards for reporting
The key metrics that are typically needed here – delivery times, carrier performance, costs – can be displayed on dashboards, which has more impact than could be suspected. According to Gartner, logistics providers with performance dashboards see their efficiency rise by up to 30%, simply because decision making is easier, leaving more time for continuous improvement and strategic planning, like optimizing routes, and forecasting trends.
#7 Integrations
By nature, an air freight platform cannot be isolated: it fills in the gaps between TMS, ERP, and airline systems APIs. The smoother the data flow is between departments and partners, the more visibility there is, and the faster the operations get. In fact, companies with integrated logistics systems experience 20% faster operations and 15–20% fewer errors. Additionally, some companies might need further integrations with CRM and accounting for better visibility.
Some of the best air freight software in 2025
The leading platforms in the field have by now evolved from basic tracking to more integrated solutions that offer automation and various compliance-boosting features. Here are some of the top solutions in 2025:
CargoWise One by WiseTech Global
This is one of the most popular solutions for large forwarders, and covers not just air, but sea and land freight, while also offering customs compliance, document generation, and tracking tools. Overall, the platform is tailored for multinational logistics providers, enterprise-level companies, and as such is praised for scalability.
WebCargo by Freightos
WebCargo specializes in digital air cargo bookings. The idea is that with real-time access to rates from the likes of Lufthansa, Emirates, or Qatar Airways, booking and quoting is done instantly, which is good for forwarders that deal with fast orders. Instant booking is supported here with expanded API integrations, while the platform also has predictive analytics tools to forecast rate trend dynamics.
Magaya Supply Chain
Magaya is a popular option for mid-sized forwarders that rely on their own modus operandi and need their software to support custom workflows. The platform is modular in nature, and offers seamless quoting, booking, customs documentation, and inventory management—alongside a strong focus on automation and CRM/accounting integrations.
Descartes Global Logistics Network
Here, the winning factor is strong compliance tools and customs automation functionalities. Which makes Descartes popular with companies that operate in highly regulated domains. The platform has an extensive global trade content library and EDI network, as well as KPI dashboards.
How to choose the right air freight software for your business
As we’ve already seen, even the top tools do not, as a rule, aim to cover every type of company conceivable. When selecting the right platform, there are four main factors to take into consideration:
- business size,
- shipment volumes,
- operational complexity, and
- compliance and regulations.
Typically, smaller forwarders will prioritize cost and ease of use, but integrations also matter a lot, especially with airlines. Larger enterprises will likely need more automation features and multi-location support.
If your main long-term concern is efficiency, look for features like real-time rate comparison and customs automation, since this is where most cost reduction is achieved.
Sometimes custom development might be the better option, too, especially for businesses with in-house IT teams or access to reliable development partners. Ultimately, the best choice is the one that aligns software capabilities with your strategic goals—while staying flexible enough to scale as your business grows.
What now?
Whether you’re a small forwarder or a global logistics provider, the right tools can optimize your workflow and unlock long-term growth. Ready to take your air operations to the next level? Start by identifying your biggest bottlenecks, explore the solutions that best align with your needs, or get in touch with our expert team to discuss a custom-built option that scales with your business.
