Bangkok, Thailand - Jeddah-based independent forwarder Express Forwarding Services (EFS), a member of the WCA Family and long-time user of the WIN IT connectivity platform, has made the first ever e-AWBs shipments on Air France KLM Cargo out of Saudi Arabia. The Air France KLM Cargo shipment flew in April from King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) to Piarco International Airport (POS), Trinidad & Tobago. “We have increased our e-AWB usage in the Middle East, focusing on the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia by 22 per cent in four months,” said Sophie Duret, Project Manager Middle East, Gulf & Indian Subcontinent, Air France KLM Cargo. “We have assigned a dedicated ‘e-freight’ expert for the Middle East market as part of our new vision to improve our customer performance. “EFS has brought us a step closer to paper-free e-freight, which will be a huge improvement for the airfreight industry.” Nadir Kalapapdan, commercial manager, EFS, said the shipment was an important milestone for the industry. “It is vital to adapt to changing technology to be more efficient and productive. We have now started to enjoy the benefits of e-AWB and it has helped us improve our efficiency," he said. "Airlines and freight forwarders have a great responsibility to make this concept a success and to increase the adoptability rate.” "We are delighted to once again see an independent forwarder participating in, and, in fact, leading the e-freight transformation in air cargo, which is the whole point of WIN," said John DeBenedette, Managing Director, WIN.