Airfreight industry turns up the pressure to achieve paperless target

The Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (Gacag) has turned up the pressure in recent weeks to ensure the air cargo sector achieves its 100% target for electronic airway bills by the end of 2015, according to the British International Freight Association.
Gacag, which represents freight forwarders, shippers, carriers and policymakers, has laid out a ‘roadmap’ for reaching its goal, comprising a three-part scheme to try to ensure complete success.
The three components to achieving 100% e-AWB capability are firstly to persuade governments and regulators that all routes have e-freight capability including suitable customs processes. Next it will be necessary to digitise all airway bills and then any other documents by collaborating with all stakeholders in the supply chain. Finally to formulate a plan to digitise the commercial and special cargo documents typically accompanying airfreight today, in or outside of the ‘cargo pouch’, an item which ideally the Gacag members would prefer to see scrapped.