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  • Cargo
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16 August 2022

Why Should you Use IATA Manuals?

IATA offers the air transport industry a comprehensive suite of products on a multitude of topics. Ranging from regulations and standards to guidance material, these manuals are designed to promote safety and optimize efficient operations. Airlines, airports, ground service providers, freight forwarders and other key industry stakeholders rely on the IATA guidelines to ensure robust and efficient operations.

In addition, several countries around the world have formally adopted the provisions of the IATA regulations manuals as part of their legislation.

What are IATA regulations and standards?

IATA regulations are based on the recommendations put in place by governing entities such as ICAO and standards built through industry working groups populated by member airline delegates and relevant industry associations who collaborate with IATA. Included in these industry working groups are the IATA workgroups that help to establish standards and procedures necessary for the safe and efficient functioning of the air transport industry, and promote the worldwide recognition, adoption of and adherence to those standards and procedures via the IATA manuals. Their common purpose is to steer the industry, while promoting the collaboration between airlines and other parties involved in the air transport supply chain.

 

How are IATA regulations and standards developed?

Various IATA workgroups and boards composed of key aviation stakeholders and experts work closely with member airlines, representatives from the whole air transport supply chain as well as local governments and ICAO among others in the development of the regulations. Their objective is to ensure that the rules and guidelines provided by the IATA manuals are practical, effective and efficient.

Why are the IATA regulations and standards updated every year?

Each year, over 350 changes are done to the IATA regulations manuals. These changes are as a result of an extensive exercise that IATA goes through to update its manuals to ensure compliance with the newest regulations as well as the latest industry trends and best practices. These updates are done in collaboration with several industry experts and via dedicated IATA workgroups such as the Dangerous Goods Board (DGB).


Standardization and compliance are paramount to ensure a safe, sustainable and efficient cargo industry. This is where the IATA manuals play a key role in ensuring global consistency and harmonization across the air cargo supply chain. The latest changes to the IATA manuals are listed here.

GET THE LATEST IATA MANUALS: In order to comply with the new regulations and to sustain the safe and efficient transport of air cargo, you should be using the latest editions of the IATA manuals. Order today

Why should you use IATA manuals?

Being a neutral organization, every dollar that IATA makes is reinvested into the industry so that we can keep improving the way all aviation professionals work together and to make the industry a better place. The top reasons to use IATA manuals are:

  • Neutral Organization: Safety is our #1 priority. We help the industry to operate safely, securely and efficiently under clearly defined rules.
  • 75+ years of experience: For over 75 years, IATA has developed global commercial standards upon which the air transport industry is built.
  • Standardized guidelines: IATA guidelines are standardized so that they meet the requirements and often surpass those set by airlines and aviation regulators.
  • For the industry by the industry: IATA works closely with aviation stakeholders to develop standards that are practical, efficient and aligned with industry needs.
  • Updated regularly: Updates to the manuals are done every year to comply with the latest regulations, trends and best practices.

In addition, when you follow the IATA manuals, you:

  • Comply with international cargo rules and regulations
  • Follow the latest cargo handling and shipment best practices
  • Improve baggage and ground handling
  • Reduce the safety risk to your staff and customers
  • Get expert tips and guidelines for better operations

Companies have been benefiting for years from the IATA manuals, and they’re a great tool to keep refining and improving your business operations and strategy.

What benefits can you expect from using the latest IATA manuals?

With 94% of IATA manuals users stating that these standards helped their business, the IATA manuals have demonstrated that the benefits of using them go beyond complying with international air cargo and ground operations standards.

 

5 benefits you can expect from using IATA Manuals

Whenever there is a doubt about if the correct label or marking is being used or when there is no regulation in place for a specific cargo or ground handling task, the IATA manuals have become the primary source of information for our users.

By using the IATA manuals, you can rest assured that you follow the latest regulations and comply with international cargo shipment rules. 90% of IATA manuals users refer to these standards as their primary source of information for air cargo standards and 74% refer to them as their primary source of information for ground operations. They are your essential guides to shipping and handling cargo via air!

From reducing errors to avoiding fines or shipment delays, the IATA manuals have served as essential tools to a variety of companies.

How to get the latest editions of the IATA manuals?

IATA manuals can be purchased directly online by visiting the IATA Online store or by visiting this webpage. You can also consult the latest changes to the IATA manuals here.

 

5 ways IATA Manual can help your business

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