Qatar Airways Cargo becomes the first carrier to fully adopt, implement and integrate the next generation messaging standard, Cargo Extensible Mark-up Language or Cargo-XML in its core cargo management system, CROAMIS. The Cargo-XML messaging is an initiative mandated by International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a preferred standard for electronic communication between airlines and other air cargo stakeholders such as shippers, freight forwarders, ground-handling agents, regulators, as well as customs and security agencies.
IATA’s Cargo-XML eliminates the constraints posed by the traditional Cargo Interchange Message Procedures (Cargo-IMP) standard and is designed to promote greater and seamless data interfaces. The new messaging standard while providing better data quality, will also simplify the electronic data interchange between airlines and other air cargo stakeholders.
Cargo-XML is recognised as the universal language for improving e-commerce, and therefore facilitates growth in trade and encourages participation in global commerce through electronic data submission for all air cargo shipments. The new messaging system supports easier transmission of more electronic documents, thereby streamlining air cargo processes and reducing their costs.
Commenting on this remarkable achievement, Qatar Airways Chief Officer Cargo Mr. Ulrich Ogiermann says: “We are proud to be the first carrier to complete the adoption of Cargo-XML messaging standards mandated by IATA. With the implementation of this new messaging standards, we are now able to offer numerous benefits to our partners in the supply chain including customers and regulatory authorities who have adopted Cargo-XML.”
The Cargo-XML specifications are compatible with other industry standards such as the World Customs Organization (WCO) and International Standards Organization (ISO), hence adopting a common messaging standard for all air cargo shipments will lead to the transfer of technically correct information between airlines and customs. Cargo-XML enables Qatar Airways Cargo to enhance its information exchange directly with customers and other business stakeholders, thereby reducing the dependency on messaging intermediaries and other associated costs. Cargo-XML perfectly complements the carrier’s e-initiatives such as e-AWB, e-freight, e-CSD and e-booking.
Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s third largest international cargo carrier, serves more than 50 exclusive freighter destinations worldwide via its Doha hub and also delivers freight to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations globally with 190 aircraft. Its fleet now includes eight Airbus A330 freighters, 10 Boeing 777 freighters and two Boeing 747 freighters.
