The Electronic-Air Waybill (e-AWB) has been implemented by Emirates SkyCargo, becoming the first carrier to do so under the industry’s recently ratified multilateral e-AWB standard.

Emirates SkyCargo has been at the forefront of adopting e-freight amongst its customers, while also ensuring that processes are more widely understood and adopted in the industry as a whole.

Since 2011, Emirates SkyCargo has put in place over 120 bilateral e-AWB agreements with its customers to ensure a smooth transition from paper Air Waybills (AWB) to electronic record formats, known in industry terms as ‘Electronic Air Waybill data’ (FWB).

Ram Menen, Emirates divisional senior vice president cargo says, “Following the recent World Cargo Symposium held in Doha, at which the e-AWB multilateral agreement was ratified, we have received an increased interest in e-AWB adoption from our customer base globally. In addition, we have observed heightened interest in e-freight implementation industry-wide – we are at an important junction for the cargo industry, with the future looking bright for e-freight adoption.”

“With increased flexibility in the e-AWB process as a result of the multilateral e-AWB agreement, industry players are finding it easier to enter into the e-AWB environment and manage processes electronically with their customers. As a result, we will see increased adoption of e-AWB processes for both the Montreal and Warsaw Convention Countries over the coming months and years. Emirates SkyCargo will continue to remain at the forefront of these developments and advise those interested in taking the steps to ‘go green’ and adopt a paperless cargo system.”

In addition to working with airline staff and customers to support the industry reaching its target of 100 percent e-freight penetration by 2015, Emirates SkyCargo has involved industry stakeholders in the e-AWB adoption process, including customs, handling agents, freight forwarders and relevant government entities.