Business Aviation

Paper-free airfreight era begins

International Air Transport Association (IATA) working with seven key cargo airlines (Air Canada, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, KLM, Martinair, SAS and Singapore Airlines), freight forwarders (DHL Global Forwarding, Panalpina, Kuehne+Nagel, Schenker, TMI Group-Roadair, Jetspeed) and ground handling agents kick-started the move to a paper-free air cargo environment with the launch of six e-freight pilot projects.

Starting today, cargo on key trade routes connecting Canada, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Singapore, Sweden and the U.K will be processed electronically.

"The paper-free era for air freight begins today," said Giovanni Bisignani, Director General & CEO of IATA. "This first wave of pilots will pave the way for a global rollout of e-freight that will eliminate the paper that costs this industry US$1.2 billion every year.

Combined, these documents could fill 39 Boeing 747 cargo freighters each year making e-freight a win for the business and for the environment."

"E-freight is a revolution for an industry that is absolutely critical to modern life. For airlines it is a US$55 billion business that generates 12% of their revenues. More broadly, air cargo transports 35% of the total value of goods traded across borders. The potential impact of greater efficiency in air cargo has very broad implications across the global economy," said Bisignani.

E-freight pilots will systematically test for the first time common standards, processes, procedures and systems designed to replace paper documents that typically accompany airfreight with electronic information.

During the initial phase, selected shipments will travel without a number of key documents that make up the majority of the paperwork, including the house and master airwaybills. Results from the pilots will be used to expand e-freight to other territories.

IATA e-freight requires that business, technical and legal frameworks are in place to allow airlines, freight forwarders, customs administrations and governments seamlessly to exchange electronic information and e-documents. The six pilot locations were selected on their ability to meet these criteria along with their network connectivity and sufficient cargo volumes.

At each location cargo experts from participating airlines, freight forwarders, ground handling agents, local customs administrations and airport authorities worked together closely over the past 10 months to prepare the pilots.

"High oil prices and cumbersome processing requirements are handicapping air transport's competitiveness with sea shipping," said Bisignani. "Sea shipping is expected to grow 6% annually over the next five years, compared to 4.8% for air cargo.

E-freight makes a four-decade leap, bringing strengthened competitiveness by cutting costs and improving transparency and consistency throughout the supply chain. This is good news for the customer and will help shore-up air transport's competitiveness with sea shipping and other modes of transport."

E-freight is one of five simplifying the Business projects led by IATA to improve service and cut costs. The industry has set a deadline of the end of 2010 for the implementation of e-freight wherever feasible. (IATA release)

New manager for Qatar

Rajeewa Jayaweera has assumed duties as the new Regional Manager of Qatar Airways for Sri Lanka, whilst still maintaining the position of Regional manager for Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Maldives based in Dhaka since August 2005.

With the rapidly growing network of Qatar Airways, Sri Lanka was added to the countries under his purview and his office relocated in Colombo from October 1.

Being a person with sound global exposure, he joined the Aviation Industry in 1989 setting an impressive record over the last 18 years.

Rajeewa has previously held managerial positions in the aviation industry in Sri Lanka, Oman, India, in France with involvement in Benelux, Scandinavia, and Southern Europe, and Bangladesh.

Relocation of the Regional Office from Bangladesh to Colombo emphasizes Sri Lanka's significance in Qatar Airways expansion in the South Asian region. Given the consistency of the airline despite the country's security situation, Qatar Airways' progress as a steadfast and leading carrier into Sri Lanka is apparent.

Qatar Airways is the only airline in the world that has a Premium Terminal that offers inconceivable luxury and value for money for its First and Business class travellers.

Rajeewa observes that Qatar Airways is rapidly expanding in Sri Lanka and has tremendous potential for further expansion and growth.

He also added that the deployment of A330 aircraft on a full time basis to Colombo commencing summer 2008 will enhance Qatar Airways' product and offer it's passengers ultra modern facilities such as the state of the art Audio Visual "on demand" In-flight entertainment system and Live Digital Satellite TV.

Some of the key areas he hopes to focus on in the future are to increase market share in premium cabin traffic and triple daily flights between Doha and Colombo.

Thai Airways flies 31 years to Colombo

The airline first flew to Colombo November 3, 1976 and since then has been a very reliable and safe Airline and also commits to consistency in its services to passengers in a very loyal manner.

Despite many draw backs and adverse incidences taking place in Sri-Lanka in the past years Thai Airways commitment to the government of Sri-Lanka was evident with its flight operations without disruption.

"The nation and the Government of Sri-Lanka has supported Thai Airways operations to Sri-Lanka and we look forward to continue with our commitment and maintain Colombo as a permanent destination in our network," General Manager Sri Lanka and the Maldives Khun Weerawat, said.

Thai Airways currently operates to 70 destinations and this gives us an opportunity for Sri-Lankans to explore many exotic destinations around the world and also exciting cities such as Krabi, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket and many more within Thailand.

Thailand is a very affordable destination for Sri-Lankans whether they travel on leisure or business activities comparatively to the other Asian hubs in the region.

"When traveling with Thai Airways there is an opportunity to take a brief stay over in Bangkok en route to their final destinations. Also there are very economical side trips to the other neighboring countries of Thailand such as Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Indonesia," he said.

Weerawat, also thanked the public for flying Thai airways.