IATA gets ready for e-freight initiative

EIGHT COUNTRIES have been earmarked by the International Air Transport Association for its e-freight programme next year. Canada, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Sweden, and the United Kingdom are the prime candidates, IATA director general and CEO Giovanni Bisignani told delegates at the Arab Air Carriers’ Organisation annual general meeting in Kuwait last week. He said that despite the enthusiasm, not one country in the Middle East was a candidate for e-freight pilots. “They lack the legal framework, technology, and business environment so we are focusing elsewhere. We’re optimistic that Arab countries will be in the second wave of e-freight pilots,” he said, urging them to lay the groundwork now.