Cargo 2000, a group of 25 of the world's leading airlines and freight forwarding organisations, has successfully completed 'gap analysis' testing of its new quality management system for the global air cargo industry.

The members of Cargo 2000 are airlines, consisting of Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air France Cargo, American Airlines, Austrian Airlines, British Airways World Cargo, Cargolux, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa Cargo, SAS, South African Airways, SwissCargo and United Airlines; and forwarders, consisting of BALtrans (Hong Kong), BAX Global, Danzas AEI, Emery Worldwide, Geologistics Management, Kintetsu World Express, Kuehne & Nagel, MSAS Global Logistics, Schenker AG, SDV, Yusen Air & Sea Service.

In the tests, in preparation for phase one of the group's Master Operating Plan (MOP), Cargo 2000 measured master air waybills on 29 trade lanes against the new quality system. The tests were supported by five leading technology providers: Logtech, SITA, Syntegra, Traxon and Unisys.

Ron Cesana, project director of Cargo 2000, said: "This is the first analysis undertaken by the group as we prepare to begin the implementation of the MOP. It is the first time we have created a benchmark that is supported by data.

"The tests have helped to identify areas for improvement and these will be addressed by Cargo 2000's working groups. We have been able to demonstrate how airlines and freight forwarders need to focus their efforts and work together to deliver the level of quality demanded by international buyers of air cargo services."

In September, Cargo 2000 unanimously agreed to a series of implementation timelines for its new quality system, which is based on two years of planning and consultation with major buyers of global air cargo capacity.

The Plan represents a series of processes, backed by quality standards, which are measurable and supported by data. Through the introduction of uniform business processes and automated standards, Cargo 2000's goal is to improve the efficiency of air cargo operations, enhance customer service and reduce operating costs.

Each member of Cargo 2000 must achieve the certification criteria, a service quality benchmark. This will focus on specific standards which address customer satisfaction, requirements, measurement, analysis and improvement. Cargo 2000 will also define the process to certify approved suppliers and industry partners.

Ultimately, as membership of the group is increased, the customers of more air cargo organisations and service providers will benefit from the 1,000 man days of research and planning undertaken by Cargo 2000's members.

The first phase of the implementation programme focuses on controlling the airport-to-airport cycle at Master Waybill level. Once a booking is made, a plan is automatically created with a series of checkpoints against which the movement is managed and measured. This enables the system to alert the Cargo 2000 member to any exceptions to the plan, allowing the relevant airline or forwarder to pro-actively respond to fulfil the customer expectation.

The data the system generates will also provide an industry benchmark. This will lead to long-term solutions to recurrent industry service issues.

Future phases of implementation will address door-to-door deliveries at House Waybill level and, ultimately, piece level identification.

With testing now under way, all Cargo 2000 delegates must have identified their own businesses' implementation plan for phase one by January 2001 and achieved certification of at least one major site by June 30 next year.