UK forwarders oppose paper AWB surcharge

UK forwarders are opposing airline plans to implement a surcharge on paper air waybills that are not filed electronically.
The British International Freight Association (BIFA), representing UK freight forwarders and logistics service providers, is encouraging its members to object to the surcharge via an online survey.
The association’s director general, Robert Keen, said: “BIFA supports e-commerce and e-air waybill implementation in the air cargo supply chain.
“However, we believe that implementation should create value for forwarders and airlines alike, and airlines need to recognise the costs that the originator of the information incurs to enter and transmit data.
Keen added: “Through our international body FIATA, BIFA will be voicing our objection to carriers that seek to apply yet another surcharge, and create yet another revenue stream, under the guise of supporting IATA’s – the airline industry body’s – e-Freight initiative, which aims to implement e-Freight worldwide.”
BIFA is asking its members to join the stand against the introduction of a surcharge by completing an online survey via its website.
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