Lufthansa Cargo uses world’s first ‘e-DGD’ form via INFr8

Lufthansa Cargo is taking on the leader-of-the-pack role in the digitalization of dangerous goods shipments by being the first carrier in the industry to use IATA’s electronic dangerous goods declaration (e-DGD) form, using the digital service called INFr8.

Platforms like INFr8 create and send eDGDs electronically, digitalizing the traditionally paper-based process of ensuring that information on shippers’ declarations follow specific airlines’ requirements and IATA guidelines.

Digitalization will, in theory, optimize the process by minimizing errors in documentation, which will translate into fewer rejected shipments and an overall faster processing time.

The use of e-DGD was made at Frankfurt Airport (FRA), said Anke Giesen, executive director of operations at Fraport AG, parent company of FRA. The INFr8 platform, she said, “integrates the shipper into the electronic information chain of the air cargo process for the first time.” Giesen added that, “we expect this to result in shorter check-in times and much faster handling of dangerous goods.”

The pilot phase of the INFr8 platform is expected to last six months and will be available to all market participants interested in using it.