In an attempt to uphold global aviation standards, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced updates to its industry manuals for cargo and ground-handling operations, incorporating more than 300 changes. The annual update, orchestrated by industry working groups like the Dangerous Goods Board (DGB) and the Live Animals and Perishables Board (LAPB), involves collaboration with industry experts, local governments, and stakeholders to ensure the manuals reflect the latest regulations, trends, and best practices.
Frederic Leger (Senior Vice President – Commercial Products and Services, IATA) emphasized the necessity of operating to global standards in aviation. The 2024 manuals, with more than 300 revisions, showcase IATA’s commitment to maintaining a reliable and safe aviation ecosystem amid evolving trends, especially in sustainability and digitalization.
“Operating to global standards is a must in aviation. Devising these standards together with member airlines and other key value chain stakeholders has been the hallmark of IATA’s activities since its founding.”
Frederic Leger
Major changes include enhanced clarity in Live Animals Regulations (LAR) differentiating between animals transported in cargo compartments and those allowed in the passenger cabin, responding to the rising transportation of domestic animals.
Revisions to Perishable Cargo and Temperature Control Regulations introduce a refined definition of perishables, emphasizing goods with limited shelf life, and susceptible to spoilage without proper preservation.
Additionally, the IATA Cargo Handling Manual (ICHM) now guides the development of Operational Risk Assessments (ORA) following an amendment to ICAO Annex 6. The ORA process involves identifying potential hazards, considering operator and aircraft capabilities, unit load device characteristics, and packaging details. This comprehensive update ensures adherence to the latest safety and operational standards in air cargo and ground handling.