The airfreight industry has missed the 2015 electronic air waybill (e-AWB) penetration target of 45 per cent set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), managing just 36.4 per cent.

This is in contrast to 2014, when the industry beat the target of 22 per cent target, hitting 24.8 per cent. Penetration rose quickly from January to September, rising from 24.9 per cent to 34.2 per cent. Growth at the end of the year slowed, rising from 35.1 per cent in October to 36.4 per cent in December.

By country, the USA processed the most e-AWBs, followed by Hong Kong and Singapore. By airport, Hong Kong International Airport processed the most, followed by Singapore’s Changi Airport and Incheon International Airport.

Cathay Pacific handled the most e-AWB, followed by Air France KLM Group and Emirates. Among freight forwarders, DHL Global Forwarding processed the most e-AWBs, followed by Schenker and Panalpina.

Among airlines, Flydubai managed 100 per cent e-AWB penetration, followed by Ethiopian Airlines at 75.4 per cent and FedEx Express at 71.1 per cent. Expeditors Group had the highest penetration among freight forwarders, at 59.5 per cent, followed by Panalpina at 57.5 per cent and UPS at 56 per cent.

Among the regions, the Middle East led the way with penetration at 63.4 per cent, followed by Africa at 52.7 per cent. Asia Pacific handled the most e-AWBs followed by Europe.