Etihad Crystal Cargo goes for ultimate information transparency

Cargo 2000 is an IATA Interest Group that brings together more than 50 major airlines, freight forwarders, ground handling agents, trucking companies and IT providers. The goal of the initiative is the implementation of a new quality management system for the worldwide air cargo industry to improve the efficiency of air cargo, enhance customer service levels and reduce operational costs.

"Etihad Crystal Cargo's services are based on three fundamental promises - Ultimate Information Transparency, 21st Century Technology and Total Customer Focus. Cargo 2000 will enable us to further improve our cargo service in all these fields which are crucial for customer satisfaction and outstanding performance levels" says Ingo Roessler, V.P Etihad Crystal Cargo.

Cargo 2000 has re-engineered the transportation process from shipper to consignee through a Master Operating Plan. The initiative has successfully reduced the number of individual processes in the air cargo supply chain from 40 to 19 steps, making the process less labour intensive and improving the processes for managing shipments in a paperless environment.

"Etihad Crystal Cargo has one big advantage in joining Cargo 2000. We are a very young company and have the advantage to start from a clean sheet. Our vision is to change the way people see the world and processes being introduced in an effective way right from the beginning"

adds Roessler.

Cargo 2000's quality management system is being implemented in various phases with Etihad Crystal Cargo entering the first phase in 2006.

The decision to join Cargo 2000 is one of several strategic decisions Etihad Crystal Cargo has taken for the coming months. In addition to Cargo 2000, Etihad Crystal cargo is also looking at IATA's e freight initiative. Also on the plan for 2006 is the launch of its own website www.crystalcargo.ae to further increase its level of Ultimate Information Transparency.