Swiss WorldCargo beefs up e-AWB effort

Swiss WorldCargo is taking the lead in IATA’s e-AWB 360 campaign to speed up process implementation of switching to electronic air waybills (e-AWB) to all destinations and customers at numerous airports using the “single process” concept.

Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) became the first such “e-airport” on Jan. 1, later joined by Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) on Feb. 1. On March 1, airports at Zurich, Dubai, Singapore, London and Milan are scheduled to be added. Additional key airports will follow in subsequent months.

“The e-AWB 360 campaign marks another important milestone on the front of paperless cargo,” said Christine Barden, head of transportation processes at Swiss WorldCargo. “At Swiss WorldCargo, we have a holistic approach and we work extensively with regulators, freight forwarders, ground handling agents and other key stakeholders worldwide to achieve a paperless and more secure supply chain.”

Under the e-AWB “single process,” which Swiss WorldCargo adopted in the summer of 2015, forwarders can tender all shipments to the airline without a paper AWB, even on trade lanes where a paper AWB is generally required. The benefits are considerable, including accelerated acceptance times, easier regulatory compliance, reduced operating costs and improved reliability.