Panalpina: 80% e-freight penetration by 2015

   Panalpina expects to go paperless on 80 percent of all cargo flights by 2015.
   The company inaugurated what it says is the first roundtrip general air cargo flight using entirely paperless technology last month. The route between Luxembourg and Huntsville, Ala., was flown on a 747-8 freighter.
   “The company is confident that it can fly all general air freight on its own controlled Boeing 747-8 freighters without paper in less than two months’ time, the only exceptions being flights to and from the MEAC region (Middle East, Africa, CIS), Mainland China and Brazil,” according to a press release.
   Officials said the company now offers paperless services between Guadalajara, Mexico, and Huntsville, Huntsville and Luxembourg, and Luxembourg and Hong Kong.
   “The benefits of going digital are clear: more efficiency, less cost, reduced environmental impact and increased data quality – but it isn’t easy,” Lucas Kuehner, Panalpina’s air freight head, stated. “Air freight is complex, fragmented and lacks standardization, but we are overcoming these challenges together with our partners. Being active in the industry is a key to our success. Our e-freight ambassadors are out there building connections and we train our staff to help make e-freight a reality.”