Santiago - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced today the dawn of a new era for the air cargo supply chain in Chile. IATA e-freight for exports went live in Chile on 9 June and is operational at Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL). E-freight for imports is in the testing process and is expected to be implemented in the coming months.

IATA e-freight, one of the Simplifying the Business projects, improves service and cuts by taking the paper out of the air cargo supply chain. Facilitated by IATA, the project is an industry-wide initiative involving customs authorities, carriers, freight forwarders, ground handlers and shippers. IATA e-freight effectively eliminates the need to send paper documents with air cargo shipments, hence streamlining processes, improving speed and reliability and cutting costs.

The Chilean IATA e-freight implementation team was led by LAN Cargo in close cooperation with Customs, Aviation Authorities represented by Junta Aeronáutica Civil and all stakeholders across the supply chain. Local forwarders involved are DHL Global Forwarding, Schenker and Kuehne & Nagel. The team started working in May 2009, delivering IATA export e-freight on schedule.

Chile is the 27th e-freight country worldwide to deliver paper-free cargo. LAN Cargo and Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez airport became the first airline and airport in Latin America to implement the e-freight international standard.

IATA aims to build on the success at Santiago Airport and implement e-freight export and import in all airports, airlines and forwarders in Chile, enhancing the competitiveness of the country.
IATA e-freight is also operational in Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Denmark, Dubai, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mauritius, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States.

For more information, please contact: corpcomms@iata.org

Notes for editors:

  • IATA (International Air Transport Association) represents some 230 airlines comprising 93% of scheduled international air traffic.

The Chilean e-freight implementation team comprises the following participants:

  • Airlines: LAN Cargo, Iberia
  • Government Entities: National Customs, Civil Aviation Board.
  • Freight Forwarders: DHL Global Forwarding, Schenker and Kuehne & Nagel
  • Custom Brokers: Stephens, Mewes and Anagena
  • Ground Handlers / Warehouse Operators: Teisa, Aerosan and Depocargo.