IATA stresses importance of transformation in air cargo

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for the transformation of the air cargo industry. Speaking at the opening of the 10th annual World Cargo Symposium (WCS) in Berlin, IATA has called on the industry to “bolster its key strengths of speed and flexibility” in order to live up to its role as a premium service.

Tony Tyler, Director General and CEO of IATA, cited a seven of 10 satisfaction rating from shippers as a sign of inadequacy, and questioned why air cargo has not undergone the same modernisation as the passenger side of the industry, which has developed innovations such as e-tickets, barcode boarding passes, self-check-in kiosks, in-flight Wi-Fi and more.

Areas for improvement in air cargo include paperless processes, customised services, the safety of transporting lithium-ion batteries, and time- and temperature-sensitive shipments such as pharmaceuticals.

Tyler warned of potential disruptors in the form of data-sharing platforms and e-commerce, of whom the air cargo industry will need to keep one step ahead.

(Source: ADS Advance)