E-Commerce has revolutionized the way we do logistics. With online businesses and consumers requesting fast deliveries, operating models had to evolve to speed up transportation.

Air cargo is naturally suited for this logistic challenge: IATA estimates that e-commerce represented 15% of air cargo volumes in 2019. This number is continuously growing, and the trend has accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. IATA helps the air cargo industry to capitalize on the growth of e-commerce.

Air cargo serving e-commerce

Air cargo is an essential component of cross-border e-commerce. IATA works to advise the industry and enhance their understanding of the opportunities and challenges that exist. IATA also ensures the air cargo industry has the right regulations, standards, and global framework to offer the right logistics solutions for the e-commerce industry.

e-Commerce Insights

COVID-19 impact

The global pandemic has changed the world. The ban on social gatherings, the closing of stores, restaurants, grocery shops, gardening centers, theatres and concerts have led consumers to live their lives online, including shopping. The consumers' behavioral change towards online retail is now established. E-commerce rose to 18% of the total retail sales in 2020, four points higher than forecast. The air cargo industry should transform today to stay relevant in this digital shift.

e- Commerce White Paper

Find out how the air cargo industry is addressing e-commerce and IATA's role in driving these initiatives in the Air Cargo serving e-commerce (pdf) white paper.

Areas of transformation

IATA, together with the consulting firm PwC, launched in 2020 an initiative to research and understand how air cargo could better capitalize on e-commerce. The study analized whether the air cargo supply chain is ready for this "tsunami of parcels" and how airlines could adapt to benefit from this growth.

The initiative achieved the following nine deliverables:

  • e-Commerce stakeholder assessment
  • Cross-border logistics gap analysis
  • e-Commerce market data assessment
  • Border blockage assessment
  • Operational impacts assessment
  • Standards readiness assessment
  • Challenges & opportunities for air cargo
  • Stakeholder engagement plan
  • e-Commerce Code of Conduct

For more information on IATA e-Commerce activities, please contact us. 

IATA Programs

Strengthen safety and security for air cargo and airmail

Safety and security must be further enhanced with stronger collaboration and compliance with programs related to training, trusted partner identification, regulations, and best practices.

  • Mail Safety Guidelines
  • Framework for a Postal Service Agreement

Embrace new technologies that will ensure greater visibility, transparency, and efficiency

Technology will enable the air cargo industry to respond to e-commerce needs.

Simplify processes, optimize flows and speed up the transaction

Strengthening the value proposition will be crucial for airlines, forwarders and ground handlers to support and capitalize on e-commerce growth.