Lufthansa Cargo has taken a major step towards paperless shipments, as beginning the summer schedule on 27 March 2022, only an electronic air waybill or eAWB will be accepted for shipments, particularly on feasible lanes.

“Routes that are eAWB-feasible are those for which the regulatory basis for the use of electronic air waybills is in place,” the airline explained. If local regulations in a country require the presentation of a paper AWB, Lufthansa Cargo will re-produce the AWB, and the document will accompany the shipment on the flight.

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The airline is also introducing a ‘paper-to-eAWB’ service, through which the few remaining paper-based AWBs will be digitized at shipment acceptance and then continue to accompany the shipment as an eAWB. Lufthansa’s initiative is in line with IATA’s call to have all air way bills paperless by the end of 2022.