IATA’s e-freight initiative kicks in

THE INTERNATIONAL Air Transport Association (IATA) has confirmed the launch this year of its e-freight pilot scheme on key trade routes linking Canada, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Singapore and the United Kingdom in support of the industry’s global bid to free air cargo of paper. As part of the 'Simplifying the Business' programme, IATA e-freight is designed to free the air cargo supply chain of the up to 38 documents that can accompany a single airfreight shipment. According to IATA, e-freight will increase information transparency, reduce shipment times and cut industry costs. The project has been aligned with global electronic trade and customs modernisation initiatives being driven by the World Customs Organisation and the United Nations. IATA e-freight requires that business, technical and legal frameworks are in place to allow airlines, freight forwarders, customs administrations and governments to seamlessly exchange electronic information and e-documents. The five initial pilot locations were selected based on each government’s willingness and ability to meet these criteria along with offering network connectivity and high cargo volumes. Home carriers Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, KLM, Singapore Airlines and British Airways, together with members of Freight Forward International and the local customs administration in each location, will lead efforts to develop, test and finalise standards, processes, and technical solutions during the year-long trials. These in turn will be used to expand e-freight to other territories. “After 30 years of talk we are seeing action,” said Giovanni Bisignani, director general and CEO of IATA. “But achieving an agreement is one thing, achieving results is another. The true test will be to deliver results from these pilots so the global rollout of
e-freight can begin in earnest.” In 2007 IATA will work with industry and other progressive governments, such as those in Sweden and Mauritius, to benchmark innovative e-customs initiatives. The association will also continue to assess and provide support in other locations where government and industry are moving toward e-freight.