Swiss WorldCargo, the air cargo division of SWISS, has been intensifying its efforts to adopt the new electronic air waybill or e-AWB. SWISS is one of a number of IATA airlines that have taken the lead in the e-AWB 360 campaign, and have committed to offering e-AWB under the single process concept at a number of airports.

Swiss WorldCargo is switching to e-AWB as the preferred means of shipping cargo. As envisaged under the e-AWB 360 campaign promoted by IATA to accelerate process implementation, the new e-AWB approach is offered to all destinations and to all customers at a number of airports.

Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) became the first such e-airport on January 1, joined by Paris (CDG) on  February 1, and to be joined by Zurich (ZRH), Dubai (DXB), Singapore (SIN), London (LHR), and Milan (MXP and SWK) on March1 . Additional airports will follow in subsequent months.

“The e AWB 360 campaign marks another important milestone on the front of paperless cargo,” comments 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. In Zurich, for instance, we were the first airline to adopt the eCSD, Electronic Consignment Security Declarations, which complements the paperless acceptance of air cargo.”

The e-AWB “Single Process”, which Swiss WorldCargo adopted in summer 2015, makes e-AWB adoption smoother for the freight forwarding community. Under the process, the forwarder can tender all shipments to the airline without a paper airway bill, even on trade lanes where a paper AWB is generally required. The benefits are considerable, from a faster acceptance time to easier regulatory compliance, and from reduced operating costs to improved reliability. The e-AWB also allows enhanced visibility and transparency.