THE International Air Transport Association and Wipro Technologies, the global IT services arm Wipro Limited, have teamed to further IATA's e-freight initiative to ease the paper burden in the air cargo industry.

Today's average shipment requires up to 38 documents exchanged between parties, including shippers, airlines, freight forwarders, handling agents, import/export brokers and customs.

By joining the IATA's e-freight programme, Wipro will work on the development of e-freight software to reduce complexity of the paper-based process.

"We are proud to be one of their strategic partners by delivering e-freight solutions which will support this project," said Wipro Technologies vice president Manoj Punja.

Said IATA's CIO, Sam Sahana: "I am pleased that we have been able to take our association with Wipro to the next level. Wipro through its commitment has been able to add a lot of value to IATA."