ID :
343106
Tue, 09/30/2014 - 20:40
Auther :

Qatar Airways Cargo, General Authority of Customs Sign MoU

Doha, September 30 (QNA) - Qatar Airways Cargo and the General Authority of Customs have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the use of electronic air waybill (e-AWB). The document was signed by Qatar Airways Cargo Chief Officer Ulrich Ogiermann and Mohammed Ahmed Al Mohannadi, head of the operations and risk analysis department at 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. "The many benefits 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 electronic air waybill, which is highly beneficial to the cargo industry. We are looking forward to greater efficiency by introducing electronic air waybill shipments," Ogiermann said. For his part, Al Mohannadi said the new 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 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 the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have jointly developed the step-by-step procedure to implement the e-AWB. "IATA thanks Qatar Customs and Qatar Airways for their leadership in implementing e-Customs and modernized air cargo processes, paving the way for the industry transformation towards 100 percent e-AWB. e-AWB is a crucial step towards full adoption of e-Freight which improves the speed and security of air cargo, thereby facilitating world trade and economic growth," Said Glyn Hughes, IATA global head of cargo. Qatar Airways accepts e-AWB shipments at more than 20 stations in its network and transports 14 percent of its network air waybills under e-AWB process, on feasible e-AWB lanes. With the e-AWB, there is no longer a need to print, handle or archive paper AWBs. e-AWB brings accuracy, confidentiality and efficiency by reducing operational costs and speeding up the delivery of air freight shipments. Qatar Airways Cargo serves more than 40 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 140 key business and leisure destinations globally on 136 aircraft. Its fleet currently includes three Airbus A330F and six Boeing 777 Freighters. At the recent Dubai Airshow 2013, Qatar Airways placed a firm order for five new Airbus A330-200 Freighter aircraft. Also included in the order were eight additional A330-200F options, for a total of 13 aircraft. At the recent Farnborough Show, Qatar Airways announced its intent to order four 777 Freighters and options for four more. (END)

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