AWB Prefix

An AWB prefix is a three-digit number assigned by IATA to airlines with cargo operations. It forms the first three digits of every air waybill number and uniquely identifies the issuing carrier. AWB numbers consist of three components: the airline prefix (3 digits), a serial number (7 digits), and a check digit (1 digit). Only airlines with cargo operations have AWB prefixes assigned by IATA—of the 6,352 airlines in FreightUtils' database, 390 have AWB prefixes.

An Emirates SkyCargo shipment carries AWB number 176-12345678, where 176 is the AWB prefix that identifies Emirates as the issuing carrier. A FedEx Express shipment uses AWB prefix 023, so the full AWB number would appear as 023-7654321.

• airline prefix
• cargo prefix
• IATA prefix
• 3-digit prefix

How much does it cost to obtain an AWB prefix from IATA?

The 2025 fee is USD 6,900.00 per code, and an annual coding maintenance fee applies for non-IATA member airlines.

What criteria must airlines meet to qualify for an AWB prefix?

Airlines must meet at least one criteria including having a signed cargo reciprocal interline traffic agreement with an IATA airline, participating in IATA Cargo Accounts Settlement Systems (CASS), or having an authorized freight forwarder issuing AWBs on their behalf.