.png)
Ed Gillett reveals CharterSync's digital innovation strategy at Air Cargo Europe 2025, including plans for AI-powered booking automation
Munich, Germany | Air Cargo Europe 2025
At Air Cargo Europe 2025 in Munich, Ed Gillett, Founder of CharterSync, sat down with Rajarshi Chatterjee, Assistant Editor at STAT Publishing Group, to discuss how CharterSync is revolutionising air cargo charter bookings through cutting-edge digital innovation.
In this revealing conversation, Gillett explains the platform's core mission—simplifying and accelerating the charter booking process for freight forwarders—and shares exclusive insights on how CharterSync is evolving to meet emerging industry demands in an increasingly complex global logistics landscape.
The traditional air cargo charter industry has long relied on manual processes involving multiple phone calls, email chains, and lengthy broker negotiations. For freight forwarding companies managing time-sensitive shipments, these inefficiencies create significant delays and cost overruns.
CharterSync was founded to address these pain points head-on. As Gillett explained during the interview, the platform centralises the entire charter booking workflow into a single, streamlined digital system that matches cargo requirements with available aircraft in real-time.
During the Air Cargo Europe 2025 conference, Gillett detailed how CharterSync's digital-first approach is transforming the charter experience:
Key Platform Benefits:
This innovation is particularly crucial as supply chain disruptions continue to challenge global trade, with issues ranging from Red Sea shipping disruptions to ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting traditional freight routes.
Gillett revealed exciting developments on the company's technology roadmap. CharterSync has recently hired an AI specialist focused on automating cargo booking flows—a move that signals the company's commitment to staying at the forefront of logistics technology innovation.
The planned AI integration will enable freight forwarders to:
This represents a significant leap forward in freight forwarding automation, potentially reducing booking time from hours to minutes while improving cost optimisation through intelligent aircraft selection.
Gillett also discussed how CharterSync is adapting to evolving market pressures that are reshaping the air cargo charter industry:
Emerging Demand Drivers:
CharterSync's platform is uniquely positioned to address these challenges through its combination of speed, flexibility, and digital efficiency.
The air cargo charter sector has historically lagged behind other logistics segments in digital adoption. As IATA reports indicate, the industry faces mounting pressure to modernize operations and improve efficiency.
CharterSync's approach demonstrates how supply chain technology can solve longstanding pain points:
What sets CharterSync apart is Gillett's unique background combining commercial aviation experience with cargo brokerage expertise. This dual perspective enabled him to identify inefficiencies that industry insiders had long accepted as standard practice.
As Gillett explained to STAT Publishing Group, the platform was born from firsthand frustration with archaic charter systems. His vision was simple but transformative: replace phone calls and emails with high-speed digital technology that serves freight forwarders' actual needs.
CharterSync's innovative approach has earned recognition, including inclusion in the E2E International 100 list for 2024, celebrating companies driving international trade growth. The company has experienced approximately 90% demand increase over the past two years, reflecting both market conditions and the platform's value proposition.
With plans to expand US operations and integrate AI capabilities, CharterSync is positioning itself as a next-generation leader in the digital freight forwarding space.
For logistics professionals attending Air Cargo Europe 2025 or tracking air cargo industry trends, CharterSync's evolution offers a glimpse into the future of charter operations:
Immediate Benefits:
Future Advantages:
The hiring of an AI specialist marks a pivotal moment for CharterSync. While the company has built a strong foundation through digital platform innovation, the addition of machine learning capabilities promises to unlock new efficiency levels.
The planned email-to-quote automation represents a fundamental shift in how freight forwarders will interact with charter services. Rather than learning new software interfaces, forwarders can simply describe their needs in natural language and receive optimised solutions—a true example of technology adapting to human workflows rather than vice versa.
Ed Gillett's interview at Air Cargo Europe 2025 highlighted several critical insights for the air cargo charter industry:
For an in-depth look at CharterSync's strategy and Ed Gillett's vision for the future of air cargo charter, watch the complete interview: Inside CharterSync with Ed Gillett: Fixing Cargo Charter Pain Points
CharterSync is the world's first online booking platform for air cargo charter, connecting freight forwarders with available aircraft through real-time digital matching technology. Founded in 2019, the company serves clients globally across multiple sectors including automotive, e-commerce, and humanitarian logistics.
Air Cargo Europe is the leading trade fair for the air freight industry, bringing together airlines, freight forwarders, ground handlers, and technology providers to showcase innovations and discuss industry trends.