Why Air Cargo Must Now Deliver on Data
Despite years of digitalization that have improved shipment visibility, air cargo still operates reactively, identifying disruptions only after costs and impacts are already incurred. The next step is not more data but shared, real-time use of existing data enabled by ONE Record as a common standard that creates a single, trusted source of truth across the entire shipment journey.
The industry is now moving beyond pilots and proofs of concept.
Airlines representing a significant share of global air waybill volume are progressing toward production readiness. Technology providers are integrating ONE Record capabilities into their core systems. Forwarders and ground handlers are increasingly engaged in shaping real-world use cases.
The focus has shifted from “why” to “how fast.”
Reaching critical mass will not happen through announcements alone. It requires coordinated execution across the ecosystem.
This means prioritizing a small number of high-impact use cases that deliver measurable value. It means aligning stakeholders across the shipment lifecycle. And it means embedding ONE Record into operational processes, not as an add-on, but as a foundation.
This is also why the industry is evolving beyond traditional hackathons.
In Hong Kong this month, IATA is bringing together airlines, forwarders, ground handlers, and technology providers for a ONE Record implementation-focused hackathon, co-sponsored by Cathay Cargo and CHAMP Cargo Systems. This is not about ideation. It is about execution.
Participants will work on real use cases, integrate with live or production-ready environments, and address the practical challenges of deployment, including data orchestration and operational workflows. The objective is simple. Accelerate the path from concept to go-live.
These implementation sprints are becoming critical to building industry momentum. They create alignment across stakeholders, reduce integration friction, and turn standards into operational reality.
At IATA, this is the focus of ongoing work with the Digitalization Leadership Charter and the broader cargo community.
The industry is working together to define flagship use cases, build the business case for adoption, and provide practical implementation guidance. There is also increased transparency on where stakeholders stand in their digital journey to accelerate alignment and action.
The objective is clear. Move from isolated progress to industry-wide execution.
The next phase of air cargo will not be defined by who has the most data. It will be defined by who can use that data together to anticipate, decide, and act.