IATA and FIATA sign new air cargo agreement

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) have announced the signing of a new agreement that will replace the old IATA Cargo Agency Program.

The new IATA-FIATA Air Cargo Program (IFACP) acknowledges the evolution of freight forwarders (whom IATA terms “Cargo Agents”) from “selling-agents” to “purchasing-customers”, according to a joint press release, and as such the need to move away from regulations that are primarily imposed by the airlines.

A new governance body called the IATA-FIATA Governance Board (IFGB) will be managed jointly by airlines and forwarders. This, say the organisations, more accurately reflects the buyer-seller relationship between the two in current market conditions, treating them as equal partners.

The review of the old Cargo Agency Program began in 2012, with the intent of overhauling industry standards to benefit both parties. The IFACP aims to improve safety and security through compliance, and to improve efficiency by reducing unnecessary administration and costs.

(Source: IATA)