Oman Air chooses SmartKargo for IT services

Soon after announcing an expansion of its route-sharing agreement with Cargolux, Muscat-based Oman Air has signed on with SmartKargo, providers of cloud-based IT software, for management of the carrier’s sales and operations. The contract is scheduled to begin in June, SmartKargo said.

Mahfood Al Harthy, chief officer of sales for Oman Air, said the carrier’s objective with the new cloud-based is “to have a rapid deployment of an industry-standard solution without having to spend on infrastructure.” He said SmartKargo’s services will help Oman Air “leverage our joint-venture agreement with Cargolux to develop Muscat as a logistics hub.”

SmartKargo, which claims to be the only such cargo platform that is entirely cloud-based, is equipped to handle electronic air waybills; manage warehouse and ramp operations; determine flexible pricing and ratemaking; and provide round-the-clock support via its three global call centers.

“In my experience as a recently retired head of cargo at IATA, it used to take many years and millions of dollars to implement a cargo IT solution,” said Des Vertannes, now a strategic advisor for the IT provider. “SmartKargo’s approach, to create an industry-standard cloud solution, is a game changer.”

SmartKargo has already been adopted by Hawaiian Airlines, Norwegian, and eight other cargo carriers, according to Jay Shelat, executive vice president, sales and marketing, for SmartKargo.

Oman Air operates a fleet of 40 aircraft, including new widebody 787s, and serves 50 destinations throughout the Gulf and Middle East, and beyond to Europe, Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia.