CargoForwarder Global’s ‘Spotlight On…’ shows a different section of the air cargo industry each week – normally bringing it to life through its people. Every now and again, CFG gives the platform to a non-human entity without which the air cargo industry would not function. The first three-letter code anyone starting out in air cargo learns is AWB* which stands for Air Waybill, though, interestingly, you’ll often hear people emphasize the first two syllables together: airway bill. Logical, but incorrect since the Waybill came first. The earliest log of the English word dates back to the 18th century. Its German equivalent, ‘Frachtbrief’ first appeared in written texts in 1610, yet the practice of registering (initially) land shipments was already happening a good half-century before that! An ancient practice, therefore, that eventually found its way into rail, sea, and finally air cargo, and over the past couple of decades has been undergoing another transition – from paper to digital registration. This week’s Spotlight gives a voice to the Air Waybill and its function in air cargo.
CFG: What is your current function and company? And what are your responsibilities?
AWB: I am an Air Waybill – the official record and essential travel document for every air cargo shipment. My ‘employer’ could be any international airline or freight forwarder. My main responsibility? To be the legal contract of carriage between the shipper, the carrier, and the consignee. I tell the story of every shipment – what it is, where it’s going, who’s sending it, who’s receiving it, and under what terms. Without me, nothing in the air cargo chain moves lawfully or efficiently. I used to be purely paper, and many of the accompanying documents flying with me still are, however, with the move to eAWB and more recently the push for the ONE Record data-sharing concept (where I can exist as a single, standardized digital record accessible by all parties and thus allow for smoother, faster information processing across the whole supply chain), you’ll more likely find me in digital form, these days. Around 85% of the time, according to recent statistics.
CFG: What does a normal day look like for you?
AWB: There’s never really a ‘normal’ day for me. One moment I’m in a freight forwarder’s office being carefully filled out; the next I’m making my way through airline acceptance counters, customs checkpoints, and scanning systems. I might travel digitally (as an e-AWB) or on paper, but either way, I’m constantly in motion, accompanying cargo across the globe. My preferred mode of travel – if only everyone would adopt it – is ONE Record, where I can avoid the jostle of stacks of papers or becoming lost in a chaotic system of separate electronic files. Instead, I can live as a unified digital ‘data package’ which shippers, forwarders, airlines, ground handlers, and customs can all access or update, and where my data can be shared in real time to those authorized to see it. My journey there is faster and more transparent, with has far less risk of delays or errors caused by paperwork or mismatched information.
CFG: How long have you been in the air cargo industry, and what brought you to it?
AWB: I’ve been around since the early days of air freight – in other words: decades! I was born out of necessity when airlines needed a standardized way to document international cargo movements, and my roots are found in the Warsaw Convention of 1929. Over time, I’ve evolved from stacks of carbon-paper forms to sleek digital formats that speed up processing. What brought me here? The need for trust, traceability, and legal clarity in moving goods by air.
CFG: What do you enjoy most about your job?
AWB: I love being the ‘bridge’ between people, places, and goods. From life-saving medicines to exotic flowers to critical aircraft parts – I am the link that ensures they reach where they’re needed. I get to ‘travel’ the world, connecting continents, cultures and customers. The more digital I am, the easier my role and the greater my job satisfaction!
CFG: Where do you see the greatest challenges in our industry?
AWB: Customs complexities, digital transformation, and capacity constraints are big challenges. We’re moving toward 100% electronic documents, but that means adapting systems, training people, and ensuring compliance across different international regulations. Also, the balance between speed, security, and sustainability is getting trickier. Ensuring data security, compatibility, and global acceptance all while helping people adapt from paper-based thinking to digital-first processes is no small feat. But the payoff is more than worth it. We’re looking at greater speed, accuracy, and innovation potential.
CFG: What advice would you give to people looking to get into the air cargo industry?
AWB: First – learn the rules and codes: IATA regulations, INCOTERMS, and customs procedures. Understanding documents like me is critical. Get training in freight forwarding, cargo handling, and dangerous goods handling. And always keep learning – the industry changes fast and digital skills are now as important as logistics know-how, so embrace them! Understand data management, standards, and cybersecurity. Everyone in our industry needs to be comfortable with both logistics fundamentals and digital transformation.
CFG: If the air cargo industry were a film/book, what would its title be?
AWB: ‘Around the World in 80 Air Waybills’ – because no matter the shipment, every journey has its own story, and I’ve been part of more adventures than I can count!
Thank you, AWB!
(*ULD comes a close second and has already enjoyed its 15 minutes of fame in CargoForwarder Global – see https://cargoforwarder.eu/2025/01/12/spotlight-on-ulds-across-the-world/ ).
If you would like to share your personal air cargo story with our CargoForwarder Global readers, feel free to send your answers to the above questions to cargoforwarderglobal@kopfpilot.at We look forward to shining a spotlight on your job area, views, and experiences.
