Digital airfreight solutions launch in Abu Dhabi
10 / 03 / 2022
Yousef Al Riyami, chief technology officer – Maqta Gateway (right); and Jubran Al Breiki, director Etihad Airport Services signing the digital airfreight solutions agreement. Photo: AD Ports Group
Abu Dhabi Ports Group’s digital arm Maqta Gateway has introduced digital airfreight solutions as part of the Advanced Trade and Logistics Platform (ATLP).
These digital airfreight solutions are anticipated to streamline the movement of air cargo shipments to and from all five airports in Abu Dhabi.
They have been developed in collaboration with partners including Abu Dhabi Airports, Etihad Airport Services and Etihad Cargo.
Beyond digitalising and simplifying the processing of air cargo for the benefit of all stakeholders and customers involved, ATLP’s solutions are expected to introduce new levels of efficiencies, including reducing waiting times by 80%, improving delivery time via customs integration, enhancing track and trace visibility, introducing digital payment channels, and enhancing warehouse utilisation through an automated appointment system.
In addition to reducing the amount of paperwork needed for air cargo shipments by 90%, the new services are designed to cut down on unnecessary trips to the airport for airfreight agents by 80%, by providing digital access to all required documentation, as well as related online payments and handling of documents to the ground handler.
The digital airfreight solutions will reduce delivery time by 50% for both imports and exports, due to the online submission of documents, enabling ground handlers to perform pre-checks and process shipments without waiting for the customer to arrive at the counter.
Noura Al Dhaheri, head of digital cluster at AD Ports Group and CEO of Maqta Gateway, said: “With the introduction of digital airfreight solutions into ATLP, we have passed a key milestone on our journey to accelerate the digitalisation of trade and logistics in the region.
“ATLP is taking the next steps towards enhancing transparency across the entire value chain and enabling stakeholders and customers to realise new efficiencies associated with the movement of air cargo to and from Abu Dhabi.”
Abu Dhabi Ports Group is not the first maritime venture to expand into airfreight. Shipping giant CMA CGM is preparing to launch its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC) airline later this year, while Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) is a contender to take a majority stake in Italian state airline ITA Airways.
