IATA and industry action
Modernization
The needs of today’s shippers can only be met with the sector’s modernization. IATA initiatives underlie air cargo’s innovation, and the industry came to a resolution on the sector’s modernization at the 73rd IATA AGM in 2017.
The e-air waybill (e-AWB) is a cornerstone of the industry’s digital vision. Although progress has been slower than hoped, the e-AWB has reached critical mass, standing at 61% penetration at the end of 2018. Resolutions and recommended practices continue to be amended to make the e-AWB the default on enabled trade lanes.
Work is also ongoing to ensure that IATA’s Cargo-XML messaging standard—which expedites business between airlines and cargo stakeholders—achieves universal adoption. The standard has already been integrated in two important customs systems: the WCO’s Cargo Targeting System (WCO CTS) and the Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) World, a system used by 90 countries.
The common data language of Cargo-XML will enable the IATA ONE Record program, which grants supply chain stakeholders direct access to shipment data using modern web standards. The first standards for end-to-end supply chain data connectivity were agreed to in March 2019.
Digital data will, moreover, assist the efforts of IATA’s Cargo iQ quality management group. Cargo iQ helps airlines and freight forwarders monitor and benchmark delivery performance against their service promise, define common processes and procedures, and promote best practices. Its Smart Data portal provides analytics on shipment performance and allows members to compare their performance with the performance of others in the air cargo community. Such capabilities will be increasingly relevant as e-commerce grows and as shippers demand ever-higher service standards.
Special cargo
IATA initiatives in special cargo operations continue to ensure airlines’ compliance with the latest regulatory requirements and with shippers’ growing demands.
IATA’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma) addresses issues related to pharmaceutical transport, and IATA’s Center of Excellence for Independent Validators for Live Animals Logistics (CEIV Live Animals) improves the safety and welfare of animals transported by air. And as of 2018, they are joined by IATA’s Center for Excellence for Independent Validators for Perishable Logistics (CEIV Fresh).
CEIV Fresh advances the handling and transporting by air of perishable products. The specific time and temperature requirements for food and plant products makes them a challenge for air cargo. The CEIV Fresh program meets their exacting requirements based on IATA’s Perishable Cargo Regulations (PCR).
In early 2019, the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK); Cathay Pacific; Cathay Pacific Services Limited (CPSL); and Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (HACTL) took a community approach to being the first organizations to put the CEIV Fresh program to the test and to become CEIV Fresh certified.