The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for strong partnerships among industry players to promote air cargo competitiveness through e-commerce technology.
“An electronic revolution is transforming logistics and transport, creating a fundamental change in the security, safety, efficiency and reliability of air freight,” said Des Vertannes, IATA’s global head of cargo. “Now we need to drive action through strong partnerships across issues such as e-customs, advanced electronic information, the digitization of transport documents, e-cargo security, and e-Air Waybill implementation.”
Noting that air cargo demand has been stagnant for several years, “the cooperation of the entire air cargo value chain to push forward key objectives such as e-freight is essential for the future health of this industry,” Vertannes added, speaking at the recent IATA e-cargo conference held in Geneva.
Total annual freight tonnes carried have grown by just 1.4 million tonnes since 2010, and IATA’s forecast for the air transport industry estimates cargo growth of only 1.5 percent in 2013. Yields are expected to fall 2 percent, and total cargo revenues will be $62 billion, or $4 billion less than in 2010.
“Air cargo remains in a tough trading environment as load factors fall and costs, especially fuel, stay high. So it is vital that the industry work together to facilitate the introduction of new processes and technology such as e-cargo, in order to improve competitiveness and boost demand,” said Vertannes.
IATA’s e-cargo program centers on the e-freight initiative, which can improve shipment times by up to 24 hours and remove 7,800 tonnes of paper documents annually.
“The efficiency and reliability of shipments will increase as multiple data entry is removed. And regulatory authorities seeking greater security oversight of air freight will also benefit from swifter and more accurate access to electronic information on shipments,” IATA said.
Photo: Beraldo Leal
