Finnair cargo signs five-year deal for world’s only 100% browser-based air cargo management system

01 November 2005

HELSINKI/GENEVA – Finnair Cargo OY has signed a five-year, multi-million Euro contract with CHAMP Cargosystems S.A. (CHAMP) for the provision of a complete suite of cargo management applications, it was announced today.

The CHAMP solution will cover all the cargo operations and revenue accounting processes of Finnair Cargo, as well as a complete warehouse management system, including hand-held radio frequency devices capable of reading bar code labels and, in the future, RFID tags. These systems will be accessed via an internet browser and delivered as an ASP service from CHAMP Cargosystems’ data centers.

Finnair Cargo OY carries 86,000 tons of cargo each year. It has a dedicated fleet of 70 aircraft operating out of Helsinki to 60 destinations around the world. Its future growth plans include Nagoya, Geneva, Edinburgh, Cracow and Pisa.

“CHAMP Cargosystems was the supplier not only with the most complete product portfolio for our requirements, but more importantly a clear vision for the future,” said Kristian Voss, Assistant Vice President responsible for Information Technology at Finnair Cargo.

The CHAMP solution is the only 100% browser-based air cargo management system covering all the air cargo processes available in the market today. The system covers everything including reservations, capacity management, warehouse management, ULD management, schedule, reporting, track and trace, and revenue accounting.

The package also includes extensive messaging and customers’ clearance support. As well as complying with all general agreed accounting principles, including IATA, national and international standards, it is a complete accounts receivable system and integrates with the Cargo Agency Settlement System (CASS).

“Finnair is a respected name in the aviation industry with a reputation for quality and innovation. Finnair is one of the rare breed of profitable airlines expanding its cargo activities and we are proud to count them as one of our clients” said John Johnston CEO of CHAMP Cargosystems.

Finnair Cargo in brief:

The past year was one of intense growth for Finnair Cargo, with a substantial increase in revenue compared to 2003. Cargo volume handled also increased greatly. A strong rise in cargo volume handled by the Helsinki-Vantaa cargo terminal translated into a significant increase in the terminal’s efficiency for the year.

Half of Finnair Cargo’s revenue from route operations is derived from Asian traffic. Cargo and mail volume increased by a third from the previous year. The majority of cargo and mail consigned to Finnair Cargo is transported in the hold of passenger aircraft.

Since autumn 2003, cooperative measures have brought new cargo plane connections to Central Europe and the Gulf region as well as Asia and North America. In Europe, Finnair Cargo operates cargo flights from Helsinki to Luxembourg while in long-haul flights, the routes are Dubai–Gothenburg–New York and Helsinki–Hong Kong.