The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has identified digital transformation, stronger global standards, and enhanced safety and security as the three key priorities for the global air cargo industry as it navigates an increasingly complex operating environment.
The priorities were highlighted by IATA’s Global Head of Cargo, Brendan Sullivan, at the opening of the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Lima, Peru.
Sullivan noted that air cargo remains vital to global commerce by connecting businesses to international markets and keeping supply chains moving despite disruptions such as tariffs and geopolitical tensions.
“Air cargo plays a critical role in connecting businesses to global markets and keeping supply chains moving, even as the operating environment becomes more complex”, Sullivan said, stressing that collaboration across the industry is essential to build resilience.
Push for Faster Digitalisation
IATA emphasised the need to accelerate digitalisation across the cargo supply chain, noting that cargo data is still scattered across multiple systems, leading to duplication, delays and compliance challenges—particularly in high-volume sectors such as e-commerce.
To address this, the industry body is promoting the adoption of ONE Record, a digital standard designed to enable end-to-end cargo data sharing across the supply chain.
Since January 2026, ONE Record has become the preferred method for cargo data exchange. Airlines responsible for more than 70 per cent of global air waybill volumes are already working toward implementation.
IATA urged more airlines and freight forwarders to scale up adoption, called on governments to accept ONE Record data for regulatory filings, and encouraged technology providers to develop secure and interoperable platforms to support the transition.
Strengthening Global Standards
The association also underscored the importance of strengthening global standards to ensure seamless cross-border cargo movement.
One key concern is the growing number of variations in the industry’s Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR). According to IATA, more than 1,200 state and operator variations now exist, adding complexity to an industry built on global safety standards.
While some differences are unavoidable, IATA said they should remain transparent, justified and closely aligned with international rules.
Another concern is fair access to airport infrastructure. At major hubs such as Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Dubai International Airport and El Dorado International Airport, cargo carriers often receive only temporary or ad-hoc slot allocations instead of historic slots, limiting long-term operational planning.
IATA stressed that slot allocation should follow the principles of the Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines to ensure transparency, fairness and non-discriminatory access.
Safety and Security Concerns
Safety and security remain central to the future of air cargo operations.
IATA highlighted the need to modernise regulatory frameworks such as ICAO Annex 18 to reflect evolving risks, including undeclared dangerous goods shipments and the misuse of lithium batteries.
The association also raised concerns about cargo security vulnerabilities within global supply chains, calling for wider adoption of electronic cargo security documentation.
Specifically, IATA is advocating broader implementation of the electronic Consignment Security Declaration (e-CSD), which improves data accuracy, reduces manual processing and enhances security oversight.
“Safety and security are shared responsibilities across the entire cargo ecosystem”, Sullivan said, adding that stronger cooperation between governments and industry will be crucial to ensuring that global trade continues to move safely and efficiently.