How do I track an AWB number starting with 083?

Enter your full 11-digit AWB number (083-XXXXXXXX) in the tracker at the top of this page. TraceAWB will instantly open South African Airways's official cargo tracking page with your shipment pre-loaded.

What if my AWB prefix doesn't match any airline?

If your AWB prefix does not match a known airline, it may be a House AWB (HAWB) issued by a freight forwarder rather than the actual airline. For tracking on the airline's official portal, you need the Master AWB (MAWB), which your freight forwarder can provide.

Prefix Decoded

What is AWB Prefix 083?

Q: What airline has AWB prefix 083?

AWB prefix 083 belongs to South African Airways (IATA code SA), based in South Africa. All air waybills issued by South African Airways start with 083-XXXXXXXX.

Q: How many digits is an IATA AWB prefix?

An IATA AWB prefix is always exactly 3 digits (000–999). It is the first part of an 11-digit air waybill number in the format XXX-XXXXXXXX. Prefix 083 belongs to South African Airways.

Q: Is 083 the only AWB prefix for South African Airways?

Yes, 083 is the IATA-assigned AWB prefix exclusively for South African Airways. Each IATA member airline has a unique 3-digit prefix. South African Airways's prefix is 083, so all their air waybills follow the 083-XXXXXXXX format.

AWB prefix 083 is the IATA-assigned airline identification code for South African Airways (SA), based in South Africa. Every air waybill issued by South African Airways begins with the digits 083, followed by a hyphen and an 8-digit shipment serial number — giving a total of 11 digits in the format 083-XXXXXXXX.

When you see a cargo AWB beginning with 083, you can be certain it was issued by South African Airways or by a freight forwarder acting on their behalf. South African Airways operates as a Scheduled Cargo & Passenger Network, with its primary hub at O.R. Tambo International (JNB). Typical air transit times range from 1 to 3 business days depending on origin and destination.

The IATA prefix system assigns a unique 3-digit code to every member airline, ensuring there is no ambiguity in airway bill identification across the global air freight network. Prefix 083 is exclusively reserved for South African Airways and cannot be used by any other carrier. For detailed shipment status, use the tracker above to reach South African Airways's official tracking portal instantly.

Prefix 083 — Quick Reference

Prefix Number083

Airline

South African Airways

IATA CodeSA

ICAO CodeSAA

CountrySouth Africa

HubO.R. Tambo International (JNB)

AWB Format083-XXXXXXXX

Cargo TypeScheduled Cargo & Passenger Network

Transit Time1–3 days

Official SiteVisit

Format Guide

How to Read an AWB Starting with 083

The 11-digit IATA airway bill number is split into two parts separated by a hyphen. The first three digits (083) tell you instantly which airline issued it.

083

Airline Prefix
→ South African Airways

-

12345678

Shipment Serial
(8 digits)

083 always identifies South African Airways as the issuing carrier. The 8-digit serial is unique to each shipment. Together: 083-12345678 is a complete, valid South African Airways airway bill.

Prefix Lookup

Look Up Any AWB Prefix

Have a different AWB prefix? Enter any 3-digit IATA prefix below to identify the airline and get instant tracking.

Enter Any AWB Prefix

Type the first 3 digits of your airway bill number

Prefix Range 000–099

AWB Prefixes Near 083

Not sure you have the right prefix? Browse nearby IATA AWB prefixes to find the correct airline for your air waybill.

Prefix	Airline	Country	IATA	Track
080	LOT Polish Airlines	Poland	LO	View
081	Qantas	Australia	QF	View
082	Brussels Airlines	Belgium	SN	View
083 You are here	South African Airways	South Africa	SA	Track
084	AirBlue	Global	PA	View
086	Air New Zealand	New Zealand	NZ	View
096	Iran Air	Iran, Islamic Republic of	IR	View
098	Air India	India	AI	View

Browse by Range

All AWB Prefix Ranges

IATA assigns AWB prefixes across the full 000–999 range. Browse all prefixes by range to find any airline.

000–099 100–199 200–299 300–399 400–499 500–599 600–699 700–799 800–899 900–999

← See the full AWB prefix index (all 440+ airlines)

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about AWB Prefix 083

What airline has AWB prefix 083? +

AWB prefix 083 belongs to South African Airways (IATA code SA, ICAO code SAA), based in South Africa. All air waybills with this prefix follow the format 083-XXXXXXXX and were issued by South African Airways or by a freight forwarder on their behalf.

How do I track an AWB starting with 083? +

Enter your full 11-digit AWB number — 083-XXXXXXXX — into the tracker at the top of this page and click "Track". TraceAWB identifies prefix 083 as South African Airways and opens their official cargo tracking portal with your shipment pre-loaded.

What does AWB prefix 083 mean? +

In the IATA air cargo numbering system, the first three digits of any air waybill identify the issuing airline. Prefix 083 is exclusively assigned to South African Airways. The remaining eight digits (after the hyphen) are the unique shipment serial number assigned to your individual cargo. The two parts together form a globally unique shipment identifier: 083-XXXXXXXX.

How many digits is an IATA AWB prefix? +

An IATA AWB prefix is always exactly 3 digits (ranging from 000 to 999). It forms the first part of an 11-digit air waybill number in the standard format XXX-XXXXXXXX. Prefix 083 identifies South African Airways. IATA maintains a registry of all assigned prefixes and each is unique to one airline.

What is the difference between a Master AWB and a House AWB? +

A Master Air Waybill (MAWB) is issued by the airline — in this case South African Airways — directly to the freight forwarder. It begins with the airline's prefix: 083. A House Air Waybill (HAWB) is issued by the freight forwarder to the individual shipper and uses the forwarder's own numbering system. For tracking on South African Airways's official portal, you need the MAWB starting with 083-. If you only have a HAWB, ask your freight forwarder for the corresponding MAWB.

Is 083 the only AWB prefix for South African Airways? +

Yes. 083 is the single IATA-assigned AWB prefix exclusively for South African Airways. IATA assigns one unique 3-digit prefix per airline. No other carrier uses prefix 083, so whenever you see an airway bill starting with 083, it is guaranteed to be a South African Airways shipment.

What if my 083 AWB shows no tracking status? +

Tracking status for a 083 AWB may not appear immediately after booking. It becomes visible only after the cargo has been physically accepted at a South African Airways cargo terminal and the AWB has been activated in their system. This typically takes 2–8 hours after acceptance. If your AWB still shows no status after 12 hours, contact South African Airways cargo customer service or your freight forwarder directly.