Dubai has become the first Middle Eastern city to adopt a new, more efficient air cargo initiative that is designed to improve service and cut costs following a move by Emirates Airline and Dubai Customs.
The IATA e-freight system provides paper-free operations to speed up trade movement, by allowing airlines, freight forwarders, customs administrations, ground handling agents and governments to exchange electronic information and e-documents.
The system is now in place on trade lines between Dubai and Singapore, Hong Kong and London, becoming the 14th e-freight location worldwide to deliver paper-free cargo.
'The launch of IATA e-freight in Dubai takes us into a new, more efficient era for air cargo. Emirates has been one of the key supporters of this initiative as we see clear benefits of having paper-free operations – efficiency and direct contribution to the bottom line,' said Ram Menen, divisional senior vice-president of cargo at Emirates. 'IATA e-freight is a revolution for a US$55bn business that generates 12 per cent of airline revenues and it has broad implications for e-trade and the global economy.'
