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Go paperless with e‑AWB

The digital version of the paper Air Waybill, designed to make cargo handling across our network simpler, smarter and more sustainable.

The air cargo industry is moving away from paper‑heavy processes, and e‑AWB is helping make that transition smoother.

By replacing paper Air Waybills with secure electronic messaging, e‑AWB brings slicker processing, better accuracy and less paperwork across the cargo supply chain — aligning with our wider commitment to more responsible and sustainable operations.

So you can say goodbye to piles of paper and unnecessary manual handling, and hello to a smarter, more sustainable way to ship.

What is e-AWB

An e‑AWB is the digital version of the traditional paper Air Waybill, forming the contract of carriage between you, the shipper, and us, the carrier. Shipment data is shared electronically using industry‑standard messaging, helping keep information accurate and flowing smoothly across the cargo journey.

By removing the need to print, handle or archive paper Air Waybills, e‑AWB simplifies documentation while maintaining the same legal and operational requirements.

 

Why switch to e-AWB

e‑AWB supports the way air cargo works today, bringing real benefits to your business, including:

✔ Faster shipment acceptance and processing

✔ Improved data accuracy through electronic transmission

✔ Reduced manual handling and administrative effort

✔ Greater consistency across the cargo supply chain

✔ Reduced reliance on paper documentation

 

Our gateways live with e-AWB

We’re already e‑AWB‑compliant at over 76% of our gateways, with more to come as standards and local requirements evolve. Check back for the latest gateway updates.


The gateways where we currently operate with e‑AWB are:

United Kingdom:
London Heathrow (LHR), Manchester (MAN), Edinburgh (EDI)

United States:
Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Washington Dulles (IAD), New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Las Vegas (LAS), Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO), Seattle (SEA), San Francisco (SFO)

India:
Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Bengaluru (BLR)

South Africa:
Johannesburg (JNB)

Rest of World:
Antigua (ANU), Barbados (BGI), Dubai (DXB), Grenada (GND), Lagos (LOS), Montego Bay (MBJ)

 

How to get set up with e-AWB

Switching is simple. Using e‑AWB requires a one‑time setup to ensure Air Waybill data can be exchanged securely and consistently using Freight Waybill (FWB) messaging across the cargo supply chain.

 

 

Step 1: Sign the IATA Multilateral e‑AWB Agreement

To use e‑AWB, you must have signed the IATA Multilateral e‑AWB Agreement. This enables e‑AWB to be used as the contract of carriage in place of a traditional paper Air Waybill.

Step 2: Confirm your system capability

Ensure your systems are configured to generate and transmit accurate FWB/FHL messages via your chosen Cargo Community Network (CCN) provider (such as Descartes, Traxon or BT), to our CCN provider (Descartes).

Step 3: Register for e‑AWB with us

Register with us to enable e‑AWB across our supported gateways. One registration covers all gateways.

Submitting your registration allows our teams to:

  • Confirm you’re ready to exchange FWB messages
  • Verify messaging capability
  • Activate e‑AWB where supported

How to use e-AWB

e‑AWB fits seamlessly into our existing booking and acceptance process.

 

Step 1: Make a booking

Book your shipment with us as usual using your preferred booking channel. A booking is required before e‑AWB data can be submitted.

 

Step 2: Send your e‑AWB data (FWB/FHL)

Submit your Freight Waybill (FWB) and any associated House Waybill (FHL) data electronically via your Cargo Community Network (CCN) provider.

Once you’re using e‑AWB, there’s no need to print a paper Air Waybill unless local requirements apply. Your e‑AWB data updates our operational systems and forms the contract of carriage once the shipment is accepted.

 

Step 3: Receive message confirmation

We’ll send you a message to confirm your data has been received and checked.

You'll receive either:

FMA (Functional Acknowledgement – Accepted), which means your FWB has been successfully received, validated and accepted into our system.

or

FNA (Functional Acknowledgement – Error) - which indicates that your FWB has been rejected due to a validation or formatting issue.

 

Step 4: Deliver your shipment

Once your data has been sent and acknowledged with an FMA, you can tender the shipment as usual. Updates to e‑AWB data may be made up until delivery, where permitted.

 

Step 5: Shipment acceptance

Following successful documentary and physical acceptance, we’ll confirm the shipment as received and send the RCS message.

Ready to go paperless?

Make the switch today and help shape a more sustainable future for cargo.

We’re here to help you with e‑AWB

If you need help at any stage - from registration through to activation - our teams are on hand to support you. We’ll guide you through the setup process, confirm when you’re ready to go live, and help resolve any issues related to e‑AWB messaging or readiness.

Contact us for support

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