This week, Cathay Pacific Cargo announced that it is instituting a $25 surcharge on paper air waybills for exports from the United States, effective December 1.  In its announcement, the airline noted that this action is part of its commitment to the implementation e-AWB worldwide.  The Airforwarders Association (AfA) recognizes the need for the cargo industry to move toward electronic data transmission, and we are doing what we can to facilitate that movement.  Many of our members have, in fact, been on the leading edge of this trend and have made substantial investments in the software, process revision and employee training that is so critical to a successful transformation to online completion and transmission of cargo documents. As an industry association, however, we are not in a position to advocate forcefully against particular airlines adopting these surcharges, as to do so would put us at risk of violating federal antitrust laws.  Nonetheless, we will continue to work actively to share our views and generate discussion among our members and airline partners to find mutually beneficial ways to take air cargo paperwork online.  We much prefer that our airline partners use the "carrot" rather than the "stick" in seeing through what can be a difficult and challenging decision for any air forwarding company, particularly those of smaller size and business volume.  We think discounts and other incentives would help ensure that forwarders see bottom-line benefits to going paperless, as opposed to viewing surcharges as just another burden imposed on them. The incentive approach has worked well in other industries that have been transitioning to e-commerce.  As just one example, a number of states offer drivers discounts for using electronic highway toll collector systems such as E-Z Pass.  Even with the obvious benefits in speed and convenience of using such systems - for both the government and the driving public - the discounts have sweetened the deal and promoted good will in a way that penalizing non-adopters would not.  AfA will continue to monitor developments in this area and report to our members on any further actions by airlines regarding surcharges for non-electronic document processing.