Speaking at the opening of the 18th IATA World Cargo Symposium in Dubai, Global Head of Cargo at IATA, Brendan Sullivan emphasised the role of air cargo in maintaining global supply chain resilience and delivering in safety and security, digitalisation and sustainability.
Safety remains the top priority, specifically the movement of lithium batteries.
IATA is calling on governments to step up efforts to stop rogue shippers and support ICAO’s work to strengthen Annex 18 of the Chicago Convention, the global framework for the safe transport of dangerous goods by air.
Sullivan says, “Shipments of lithium batteries are growing in volume. With that come increased risks associated with undeclared or mis-declared goods. The industry has invested in training, certification and technology. Governments must match that commitment with robust oversight and enforcement.”
Governments are urged to take a coordinated, risk-based approach to air cargo security following recent incidents involving incendiary devices concealed in shipments.
Some states have implemented new measures but the lack of alignment has led to inconsistent outcomes, which IATA says reinforces the importance of harmonised responses based on global standards.
IATA has renewed its call to states to fulfil their Annex 17 obligations by sharing timely and accurate threat intelligence for informed risk assessments and operational decisions.
Sullivan says, “The industry is best placed to understand its operations and the associated safety and security risks. But governments have infinitely more resources, particularly in intelligence gathering. The best results come when governments and industry work together.”
IATA has reinforced ONE Record’s central role as the industry’s standard for end-to-end digital data exchange.
To accelerate industry adoption, IATA is urging airlines and freight forwarders to move forward with implementation, governments to recognise ONE Record in regulatory data filing requirements, and for developers to build secure, open and compatible digital platforms.
Sullivan says airlines representing 72% of global air waybill volume are on track to implement ONE Record by January 2026, adding that more than 100 IT providers and 10,000 freight forwarders are aligned.
He says, “To achieve full value, implementation must accelerate across all stakeholders and governments must recognise ONE Record in their regulatory frameworks.”
In the area of sustainability, IATA guidance to eliminate single-use plastics across the supply chain is reflected in operational standards.
There is momentum to reduce carbon emissions through the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) but volumes remain far below what is needed and production costs remain high.
IATA is urging governments to implement policy frameworks to scale up SAF production and reduce costs.
Sullivan says fuel producers are slowing or sidelining SAF investments and aircraft manufacturers have backed off from medium-term projects such as hydrogen-powered aircraft.
Governments are not providing support with Sullivan saying they are sending mixed signals by subsidising fossil fuel extraction while aiming for net zero.
Sullivan says, “Airlines are committed and determined but we cannot do it alone. We need action behind the words of regulators, fuel suppliers and manufacturers.”
As trade tensions grow, IATA is reinforcing its position that trade drives prosperity and measures which undermine the free flow of goods hurt businesses, consumers and economies.
Sullivan says, “Current trade tensions are deeply concerning. Trade drives prosperity. The more the world trades, the better off we all are. So, whatever the resolution of current trade tensions is, we know that air cargo will be there to deliver the goods people need and want.”