e-AWB usage hits 34.2% in September

Associations Forwarders and Shippers Technology

November 2, 2015

Electronic air waybill (e-AWB) penetration was 34.2 per cent in September, with the Middle East leading the way as region of origin, at 61.8 per cent, according to the International Air Transport Association’s e-AWB international monthly report.

Asia Pacific handled the most e-AWBs at 127,334, but was ranked fourth for penetration, at 38.4 per cent. Among countries, the US has more than doubled the number of e-AWBs processed in a year, from 31,705 in September 2014 to 68,081 in September 2015.

Hong Kong International Airport processed 66,321 e-AWBs in September, the highest by airport of origin.

By airline, Flydubai had the highest e-AWB penetration, at 99.9 per cent, followed by FedEx at 71 per cent.

Among freight forwarders, Panalpina had the highest penetration at 50.2 per cent, followed by SDV Group at 49.7 per cent. IATA says Cathay Pacific Group handled the most e-AWBs by volume, and had a penetration of 67.7 per cent.

IATA explains in the report it is targeting e-AWB penetration of 45 per cent by December 2015.

James Graham

James Graham is an award-winning transport media journalist with a long background in the commercial freight sector, including commercial aviation and the aviation supply chain. He was the initial Air Cargo Week journalist and retuned later for a stint as editor. He continues his association as editor of the monthly supplements. He has reported for the newspaper from global locations as well as the UK.