"In recent years, we have driven forward many digitalization initiatives in the air freight industry. The future elimination of paper AWBs could even be one of the most important steps. The majority of our customers already use eAWBs exclusively. With the new service, we can now easily take all customers on our digitalization journey and enable them to take the step towards paperless transports as well," explains Ashwin Bhat, Chief Product and Sales Officer at Lufthansa Cargo.

"Our goal is to make communication with our customers easier, faster and better with the help of our digital services. We have implemented the eAWB process as an IATA industry standard continuously and globally at Lufthansa Cargo since 2014. A five-year data quality initiative that effectively disrupted the data interface between customers and Lufthansa Cargo was, among other things, an important cornerstone that enabled sustainable eAWB penetration and consistent top positions in the global ranking," says Dr. Jan-Wilhelm Breithaupt, Vice President Global Fulfillment Management Lufthansa Cargo. "We are delighted that, together with our customers and partners, we have achieved our goal of transporting paperless shipments and avoiding unnecessary printouts along the process chains."

The newly introduced service is mandatory for all freight forwarding companies on eAWB-eligible routes that do not yet use electronic air waybills. eAWB-eligible routes are those for which the official requirements for the use of electronic air waybills are met. This means that all shippers who are not yet able to use eAWBs due to their own infrastructure can also switch to paperless shipments. If local regulations in a country require the presentation of a paper AWB, Lufthansa Cargo will reproduce the AWB and it will accompany the shipment on the flight. In addition to more efficient transport routes and faster information flows, paper is also saved during transportation. This aspect of sustainability also contributes to the United Nations' sustainability goals "Climate Action" and "Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure", to which Lufthansa Cargo has committed itself along with other goals.