The air freight industry is preparing for proposed changes to IATA’s Direct Air Waybill (DAWB) framework, which are currently scheduled to take effect on 1 July 2026.
Although the changes are primarily aimed at airlines and freight forwarders, they could have wider implications for businesses that ship goods by air, particularly where Direct Air Waybills are used.
What is a Direct Air Waybill?
An Air Waybill (AWB) is the transport document used for air freight shipments. It serves as evidence of the contract of carriage between the shipper and the airline, while also providing shipment handling and tracking information.
With a Direct Air Waybill (DAWB), the shipper is named directly on the Air Waybill, while the freight forwarder acts as the shipper’s agent when arranging the shipment with the airline.
This differs from the more common arrangement where the freight forwarder contracts directly with the airline and then issues its own House Air Waybill (HAWB) to the customer. Under this model, the freight forwarder is typically the airline’s customer, with the shipper contracting through the forwarder.
What is changing?
The IATA Cargo Agency Conference (CAC) has adopted changes to the Direct Air Waybill framework that are currently scheduled to take effect on 1 July 2026.
According to the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), the revised framework changes how contractual responsibilities, liabilities and indemnities are allocated between airlines, freight forwarders and shippers when Direct Air Waybills are used.
While many UK freight forwarders already operate under commercial arrangements that involve direct contractual relationships with airlines, the changes could affect businesses that issue Direct Air Waybills by altering their contractual position and responsibilities.
Why is the industry concerned?
The proposed changes have prompted significant discussion across the global freight forwarding industry.
FIATA has formally requested that the changes be reviewed before implementation, stating that further consultation is needed with the freight forwarding sector.
The organisation has highlighted concerns around:
- Legal certainty
- Allocation of contractual liability
- Insurance implications
- Operational responsibilities
- Commercial risk
- Market stability
FIATA believes additional consultation is necessary to ensure the framework accurately reflects the practical roles and responsibilities of airlines, freight forwarders and shippers, while providing greater legal clarity for all parties involved.
Similarly, the British International Freight Association (BIFA) has advised members that issue Direct Air Waybills to engage with their airline partners, review their contractual arrangements and understand any potential legal or insurance implications before the planned implementation date.
IATA perspective
IATA argues that under DAWBs, which are largely used for high-risk shipments, forwarders tender cargo to the airlines on behalf of the shipper, meaning they are acting as agents of the shippers and not agents of the airlines.
“Airlines have essentially entered into a contract with an entity they do not know and have not performed due diligence, anti-money laundering or sanctions and embargo compliance checks,” said Carlos Tornero, IATA’s director of legal services, in an article on the topic.
“Importantly, they have not negotiated a rate prior to having a shipment land on their warehouse floor.”
DAWB implies that forwarders are merely the shipper’s agent, and so if things go wrong, such as a lithium battery fire, airlines must seek recourse against the original shipper – effectively, an unknown party, IATA argues in the same article.
What does this mean for customers?
For most importers and exporters, there is unlikely to be any immediate change to how air freight shipments are booked or transported.
However, businesses that regularly ship goods using Direct Air Waybills should consider discussing the proposed changes with their freight forwarder to understand whether there could be any impact on contractual arrangements, documentation or liability.
As the industry continues to seek clarification, businesses should continue following updates from their freight forwarder and relevant industry bodies.
How Beckchoice can help
International air freight regulations and industry procedures continue to evolve, making it increasingly important to work with a logistics partner that stays informed and keeps customers updated.
Whether you’re importing or exporting by air, Beckchoice can help you navigate changing industry requirements, ensure your documentation is completed correctly and keep your shipments moving efficiently.
If you have any questions about the proposed Direct Air Waybill changes or your air freight shipments, our experienced team is here to help – get in touch.
Please note: This article is based on information available as of June 2026. The proposed Direct Air Waybill framework changes are currently scheduled to take effect on 1 July 2026. Discussions between IATA, FIATA and other industry stakeholders remain ongoing, and further clarification or amendments may be made before or after implementation.
References
- FIATA. FIATA Calls for Review of IATA Direct Air Waybill Changes Amid Industry Concerns Over Liability Allocation and Market Stability. https://fiata.org/n/fiata-calls-for-review-of-iata-direct-air-waybill-changes-amid-industry-concerns-over-liability-allocation-and-market-stability/
- Air Cargo News. Forwarders hit out at IATA changes to Direct AWB framework. https://www.aircargonews.net/freight-forwarder/2026/05/forwarders-hit-out-at-iata-changes-to-direct-awb-framework/
- Air Cargo Week. FIATA calls for review of IATA Direct Air Waybill changes. https://aircargoweek.com/fiata-calls-for-review-of-iata-direct-air-waybill-changes/
- BIFA TV. Changes to IATA’s Direct Air Waybill – Industry Update. https://www.bifa.org/news/articles/