ETW Staff – Mumbai
Cathay Pacific Airways and Dragonair were the official participating carriers during the validation exercise carried out by The International Air Transport Association (IATA) to certify Kempegowda International Airport (BIAL) as an e-freight compliant airport.
Electronic freight has been one of the initiatives under IATA’s ‘Simplifying the Business’ programme. This aims at changing the way the air transport industry operates resulting in better service for cargo operators and lower costs for the industry. IATA selected nine countries/ territories and airlines in which to run the e-AWB pilot programme, including Cathay Pacific.
Based on this initiative, Cathay Pacific Cargo and Dragonair implemented the rollout of electronic air waybills (e-AWB) in 2011, in phases throughout its network, marking an important step in its transition to e-freight. Currently all online ports in India have successfully implemented the use of electronic air waybills.
Anand Yedery, regional cargo manager – South Asia, Middle East & Africa, Cathay Pacific Cargo, said, “At Cathay Pacific Cargo, we are convinced that e-freight is the most efficient practice for the cargo industry. This is the way forward. Kempegowda International Airport offers one of the best cargo handling facilities in India. They are well known for their excellent infrastructure with modern warehouse facilities. With the airport now being e-freight compliant, it aligns with our efforts towards creating a paperless environment in the airfreight industry.”
Cathay Pacific Airways and Dragonair received an invitation by IATA and the Kempegowda International Airport to participate in this exercise, as the airline is already e-AWB compliant and is currently working towards the transition to e-freight.