IATA demands faster air cargo modernisation

The International Air Transport Association has called for faster progress on modernisation of the air cargo industry with completion of digitisation of the supply chain, harmonised standards, and use of enhanced technology.

“Air cargo processes are stuck in another century,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO told delegates at IATA’s annual meeting in Cancun.

“To ensure that air cargo is ready to benefit from the expected $1 trillion boost in trade growth arising from the World Trade Organisation’s Trade Facilitation Agreement and the improving global economic environment, we need a major overhaul of industry processes. And there is no time to lose; our customers already expect the efficiency of electronic documentation.”

The IATA resolution calls for the air cargo industry to:

• Conclude the digitisation of the supply chain to allow all information to be shared instantly
• Adopt modern and harmonised standards that facilitate safe, secure and efficient operations, particularly in relation to carriage of dangerous goods
• Use enhanced technology to provide customers with responsive services based on intelligent systems able to self-monitor, send real-time alerts and respond to deviation
• Harness the power of data to drive efficient and effective industry quality improvements

It also calls on governments to support the industry’s modernisation process by implementing the TFA quickly so that benefits such as harmonised rules for expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods crossing borders and the acceptance of e-payments and electronic documentation can be realised.