Air Cargo

Delivering the modern world  

Air cargo transports goods worth in excess of $6.4 trillion on an annual basis. This is approximately 35% of world trade by value. The sector itself generates nearly $70 billion every year and is an important component of the aviation industry which collectively supports 57 million jobs worldwide. Latest cargo financial information (pdf) – view the latest Cargo e-Chartbook produced quarterly by IATA Chief Economist Air cargo makes it happen campaign

Simplifying the business of air cargo

Together with its member airlines, representatives of the whole air freight supply chain and its partners, IATA is working to sustain a safe, secure, efficient and profitable air cargo industry.  More on IATA Cargo Governance.

Cargo standards

The  Cargo Services Conference (CSC) is responsible for developing and maintaining industry-wide standards for the various aspects of air cargo transportation. These include:

Dangerous Goods  Live Animals Perishables & Pharma Unit Load Devices (ULD)

Air Waybill (AWB) e-Cargo Cargo Security Customs & Trade Facilitation

Cargo projects

The e-Cargo projects (e-freight and e-AWB) aim to move the air cargo industry to the digital era by taking the paper out of cargo and replacing it with the exchange of electronic data and messages.

To support regulators and strengthen supply chain security, IATA and the industry are working on various Cargo Security inititatives: the IATA Center of Excellence for Independant Validators, the standard Consignment Security Declaration and Secure Freight.

Acknowledging the need for the air cargo industry to develop long-term strategies and investments, IATA is working on several Cargo Sustainability initiatives tackling environmental, social and economic issues. 

Cargo agency program

Governed by the Cargo Agency Conference (CAC), IATA's Cargo agency program affords benefits to both airlines and agents. It provides agents with industry recognition of their financial and professional competence while airlines gain access to a worldwide distribution network of approved agents to sell their product.

The cargo agency program helps to regulate member airlines' working relationships with their appointed sales agents. It includes the Cargo Agency Accreditation, the Cargo Account Settlement Systems (CASS) and the General Sales and Service Agents (GSSA).