DOHA: Qatar Airways Cargo, as part of its environmental commitment and efficiency improvement, yesterday announced to have signed a multilateral e-Air Waybill (e-AWB) agreement (Resolution 672) with the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
IATA provides a legal framework for parties to conclude cargo contracts by electronic means to ensure paper-free freight service, said a press statement yesterday.
The initiative, e-AWB developed by IATA with industry stakeholders, removes the use and requirement of paper airway bill by providing consent to do an electronic airway bill without altering the conditions of contract of carriage.
With the introduction of e-freight system, there is no longer a need to print, handle or archive paper airway bills. An e-AWB brings accuracy, confidentiality and efficiency while helping reduce operational costs and speed-up the delivery of air freight shipments.
“Benefits of electronic airway bills include reduced costs, higher productivity, better reliability and enhanced regulatory compliance,” said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker.
“Most importantly, it paves the way towards a paper-free e-freight system.”
The agreement with IATA enables Qatar Airways Cargo to accept e-AWB from all participating freight forwarders. Freight forwarders who have signed multilateral e-AWB agreements with IATA will be able to tender e-AWB shipments to Qatar Airways Cargo at multiple airports around the globe.
To facilitate seamless electronic data exchange with freight forwarders, Qatar Airways Cargo has appointed Cargo Community Network – Singapore, a provider of cargo community system services (CCS) and e-solutions for the air cargo industry, as its CCS partner. The Peninsula
