IATA charts out key solutions
DIGITISATION, TRADE FACILITATION, SAFETY AND PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT were the top agenda at IATA - WCS 2018. The symposium was held in Dallas.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) highlighted four priorities for the future success of the air cargo industry; accelerating the digitisation of the supply chain, enforcing regulations for lithium batteries, more efficient trade facilitation and developing the next generation of air cargo leaders. “Air cargo had an exceptional year in 2017 with nine per cent growth. And, we expect a very healthy 4.5 per cent expansion of demand in 2018. There are great opportunities in e-commerce and the movement of time-and-temperature sensitive goods such as pharmaceuticals. The air cargo industry has agreed to focus on these key areas and we must follow through,” said
Glyn Hughes, Global Head - Cargo, IATA. The industry has been pursuing a digital process transformation known as e-freight for over a decade. A key element of e-freight is the market adoption of the e-air waybill (eAWB). Global penetration has nearly reached 53 per cent and the industry is targeting 68 per cent by year-end on enabled trade lanes. IATA is facilitating and supporting the modernisation and transformation process through its industry transformation program; Simplifying the Business (StB) Cargo.
SMARTER AND MORE EFFICIENT BORDERS
It took an average of 141 days to clear goods through customs controls in 2017 (with significant regional variation), according to IATA’s Cargo IQ statistics. In particular IATA is pressing for governments to implement three important global standards:
The Montreal Convention 1999 (MC99)
Revisions to the Kyoto Convention of the World Customs Organization.
The World Trade Organization’s Trade Facilitation Agreement.
ATTRACT, RETAIN AND DEVELOP TALENT
IATA’s Future Air Cargo Executives (FACE) programme aims at attracting, retaining and developing a diverse pool of young professionals to prepare them to become the next generation of leaders in the cargo industry.
SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD IN THE DIGITISATION OF THE DANGEROUS GOODS SUPPLY CHAIN
The association has also taken a significant step forward in the digitalisation of the dangerous goods supply chain following the adoption of the e-Dangerous Goods Declaration (e-DGD) standards. The benefits of implementing the e-DGD with clearly defined data governance include improved transparency, traceability and data quality. The e-DGD was developed through the IATA Cargo Services Conference with key support provided by four proof of concept partners; Air France-KLM Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, Swiss WorldCargo and Cargologic confirming industry requirements.
IATA INNOVATES DANGEROUS GOODS HANDLING
IATA has launched an innovative new solution for the air cargo industry: Dangerous Goods AutoCheck (DG AutoCheck) that will enhance safety and improve efficiency in the transport of dangerous goods by air and support the industry’s goal of a fully digitized supply chain.
Global penetration has nearly reached 53% and the industry is targeting 68% by year-end