Transitioning to a paperless operating environment is critical to improving air cargo’s competitiveness, said Iata director deneral and CEO Tony Tyler.
He said Iata was committed to implementing the e-Air Waybill (e-AWB) - targeting 20% implementation by 2013-end and 100% by 2015.
The Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG) endorsed an e-Freight roadmap that reflects agreement on roles and responsibilities for pushing this critical project
forward.
The International Federation of Freight Forwarders (FIATA) and the Global Shippers Forum have agreed to push forward the digitalisation of other freight documents.
The e-AWB penetration was 6.8% in 2012, Tyler said.
“Our e-AWB targets are ambitious. The establishment of the multilateral e-AWB agreement will play an important role in boosting implementation. And we have the success stories of several airlines which have implemented 100% e-AWB policies in their hub markets proving that progress is possible,” said Tyler at the 7th IATA World Cargo Sympsoium at the Sheraton Doha yesterday.
The industry is also working with governments for the progressive adoption and implementation of the Montreal Convention 1999 (MC99), which provides the legal framework for electronic documentation.
Tyler hailed Qatar Airways decision to speed up digitalisation of freight documents when the CEO Akbar al-Baker said the airline would also strive to achieve 100%
e-Air Waybill shortly.