Qatar goes for e-Air Waybills
Paperless transactions for cargo shipments will bring accuracy, increase efficiency by reducing operational costs and speeding up delivery of air freight shipments.
Qatar Airways Cargo and Qatar Customs have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the use of electronic Air Waybill (e-AWB). The document was signed by
Ulrich Ogiermann, Chief Officer Cargo, Qatar Airways and
Mohammed Ahmed Al Mohannadi, Chairman, General Authority, Qatar Customs in the presence of senior officials from both companies.
The milestone agreement will bring Qatar Airways one step closer towards electronic freight, also known as e-freight, with the intention to eliminate the requirement for the paper Air Waybill.
The airline will now implement paperless freight transactions for shipments originating and transiting through Doha, as well as for import shipments into Doha.
Signing the agreement, Ogiermann said, “Benefit of moving into paperless transactions is greatly understood by all those of who handle a large number of cargo transactions on a daily basis. The signing of the SOP is a stepping-stone to implementing the e-AWB, which is highly beneficial to the cargo industry. We are looking forward to greater efficiency by introducing electronic air waybill shipments.”
Mohannadi said, “The Air Waybill system will integrate our customs clearance systems with the existing electronic databases in Qatar. When operational, these systems will lead to simplifying travel procedures, reducing the operational costs and saving time. Eventually, these systems will lead to the wider implementation of smart governance and help us to achieve Qatar’s Vision 2030.”
Qatar Airways, Qatar Customs, Qatar Aviation Services and IATA have jointly developed the step-by-step procedure to implement the e-AWB. Qatar Airways accepts e-AWB shipments at more than 20 stations in its network and transports 14 per cent of its network air waybills under the e-AWB process, on feasible e-AWB lanes. With the e-AWB, there is no longer a need to print, handle or archive paper-based Air Waybills.