Delta Cargo has launched self-service iPad kiosks in Atlanta and Boston, and is testing in other hubs, requiring electronic air waybills (e-AWB) as standard operating procedure.

The new implementation supports Delta Cargo and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) efforts to transition from paper air waybills to e-AWB and provides customers with a streamlined digital experience to book all U.S. domestic product shipments. The air waybill is a critical air cargo document that constitutes the contract of carriage between the shipper and Delta.

Kiosks were first tested in Atlanta at all shipment acceptance counters. Since the start of the trial, Delta Cargo has recorded a 94-percent increase from paper to e-AWB bookings for US domestic shipments in Atlanta. Following positive customer feedback, these kiosks have now been rolled out in Boston, and will shortly be available in New York-JFK and Seattle cargo acceptance counters. Delta’s current eAWB penetration rate is 81.3 percent year-to-date, which is above IATA’s global goal of 68 percent eAWB for 2018.

“The introduction of Delta Cargo’s self-service experience contributes to a more environmentally friendly and simple booking process, while also providing expedited service to customers,” said Lindsey Jalil, Managing Director Commercial, Delta Cargo.  “With initiatives such as this we are working towards our goal of achieving 100 percent e-AWB penetration in the United States by the end of the year and internationally in 2019.”

In order to facilitate the booking process, Delta Cargo encourages customers to pre-book their shipments on deltacargo.com and ensure they bring along all consignee information.

Delta Cargo reaches over 310 destinations in 54 countries on six continents, carrying more than 2.2 billion cargo ton-miles each year.