The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is calling for stronger controls and a layered approach to prevent unauthorised dangerous goods from entering the air cargo supply chain.
Dangerous goods, including lithium batteries, chemicals and other hazardous materials, require strict handling and documentation to ensure they can be transported safely by air. Undeclared or incorrectly declared shipments can create significant safety risks for aircraft, cargo handlers and other supply-chain workers.
IATA is advocating greater cooperation among shippers, freight forwarders, airlines, regulators and other supply-chain stakeholders to identify and prevent non-compliant shipments before they reach aircraft.
The proposed approach combines measures at different stages of the cargo process rather than relying on a single inspection or control point. Better information sharing, training, screening, compliance checks and enforcement can help identify potentially hazardous shipments earlier.
The aviation industry has also highlighted the growing importance of effective controls as e-commerce and express shipments increase the volume and variety of goods moving through air cargo networks. Batteries and other products with hazardous characteristics require particular attention because their risks can vary depending on packaging, quantity and shipping conditions.
IATA’s call comes as the industry works to strengthen safety standards while maintaining efficient cargo flows. Consistent implementation of dangerous-goods requirements across the supply chain remains essential to reducing the risk of improperly prepared or undeclared shipments.
Stronger controls could help airlines and cargo operators improve compliance and protect the safety of global air freight operations.