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IATA misses its annual target for electronic air waybill penetration

THE estimated penetration of the electronic air waybill (e-AWB) this year was not likely to rise above a disappointing 40 per cent, despite the acceleration of companies jumping on the e-AWB bandwagon, conceded the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

This was well short of the 2015 target of 45 per cent, said IATA. "Nonetheless, IATA has set a new global e-AWB penetration target of 56 per cent by the end of 2016, citing steady growth in the past 12 months," the group's statement.

IATA said the number of airlines, forwarders, and major-airports where e-AWB penetration exceeds 50 per cent penetration has doubled, reported Atlanta area Air Cargo World.

The importance of making this transition to paperless e-AWBs easier for forwarders to adopt is essential, IATA said. Growing numbers of airlines are committing to the concept of the single process, meaning air carriers will be responsible for ensuring that each shipment destination accepts e-AWBs.