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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 TdlXtSGi1983I5YPJSCkNRu5CXNWzBKr3seswKQRfEzXhMesn7ExrecZzLWXiI9k
 NkBJDr9M1+gPa1sl1ifO3w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-010142.txt : 20040217
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-010142.hdr.sgml : 20040216
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040217172757
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-010142
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040217

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ABX AIR INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000894081
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	AIR COURIER SERVICES [4513]
		IRS NUMBER:				911091619
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		145 HUNTER DRIVE
		CITY:			WILIMINGTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45177

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		145 HUNTER DR
		CITY:			WILMINGTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45177

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PAYNE W JOSEPH
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001275365

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-50368
		FILM NUMBER:		04610470

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ABX AIR INC
		STREET 2:		145 HUNTER DRIVE
		CITY:			WILMINGTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45177
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9373825591

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ABX AIR INC
		STREET 2:		145 HUNTER DRIVE
		CITY:			WILMINGTON
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45177
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd33408.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 5
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000894081</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ABX AIR INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ABXA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001275365</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PAYNE W JOSEPH</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ABX AIR, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>145 HUNTER DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WILMINGTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>45177</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>V.P, Corp. Sec. &amp; Gen. Counsel</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionCoding></transactionCoding>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3450</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>W. Joseph Payne</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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