Cargo Account Settlement Systems, or CASS, is a system designed to facilitate the billing and settlement of accounts between airlines and freight forwarders. CASS uses CASSlink, an advanced web-enabled e-billing solution, to simplify the process of billing and settling accounts between these two parties. CASS allows airlines and freight forwarders to electronically submit invoices and other documents, track payment status, and resolve any disputes or discrepancies quickly and efficiently. This system streamlines the billing and payment process, making it more efficient and cost-effective for both airlines and freight forwarders.

Cass Advantages

CASS yields a two-fold solution as it replaces:

a) Airlines' traditional paper based invoicing

b) Agents' manual controlling of those invoices, while all benefit from:

• Streamlined invoicing and collection of sales revenue processes
• A neutral settlement office
• Total flexibility to manage data centrally or from any field office with CASSLink's web-based application
• The elimination of invoices' loss or fail to deliver thanks to electronic production and distribution
• Enhanced financial control and improved cash flow as the CASS rate of success in collecting funds is virtually 100%

CASS implementation

There are more than one airline and freight forwarder operating in the market. IATA conducts a market assessment to determine the feasibility of implementing CASS in a particular market, taking into account factors such as the number of potential participants, existing operational practices, and the costs of operating the system. If the market assessment determines that CASS would be beneficial, the implementation of the system is then subject to the decision of the market's group of airlines to join and bear the operating costs of CASS.