New Advances for the UK Air Freight Industry

As with so many other sectors, it seems that theThe other advantage of using electronic documenting
future of freight forwarding is online. The internet hasmethods is that there is less room for error. It also
long been hailed for the convenience it offers. It ishelps cut down on the level of administration required.
therefore perhaps unsurprising that the UK air freightIn fact, it is expected that billions of pounds could be
industry has decided to explore the potential it offerssaved in terms of administration costs alone.
by introducing new electronic processes.Of course e-ticketing is already widely used by
E-freight, as it is being called, is all about replacingpassengers traveling around the world. Most people
traditional paper documents with electronic ones fornow arrive at an airport with an 'e-ticket' that they
the transportation of cargo. The aim is to streamlinehave printed off their home or work computers. As a
and simplify air fright forwarding. Using electronicresult airlines do not have to send out paper tickets
processes will of course also offer considerable costin advance of travel which costs them money and of
savings.course run the risk of getting lost in the post.
In the short term, the companies taking part in theIn fact over 90% of all passenger tickets issued in
trial will actually lose rather than save money. This isthe UK are electronic (although this figure is much
because they will have to run electronic and paperhigher for some carriers) and they cost the airlines
processes in conjunction with one another. However,considerably less than paper tickets. The average
in the longer term, using e-methods will cut down onpaper ticket costs an airline £5 whilst an
the considerable amount of paperwork required fore-ticket only costs it 50 pence!
air freight transportation.