IATA attended the ICAO Aviation Security Panel Working Group on Air Cargo Security (WGACS) meeting held in Bern, Switzerland, from 5-7 November 2025. IATA is a key member of the WGACS, which consists of ICAO Member States and other aviation trade associations. The WGACS overall mandate is to enhance global air cargo security and to align air cargo security policies, standards, measures, and guidance material.
Through the Cargo Security Working Group, IATA developed an Improvised Incendiary Device guidance document to help the industry respond to and mitigate the recent acts of sabotage targeting air cargo and supply chains using Improvised Incendiary Devices (IIDs). An updated Version 2 of the guidance was released in August 2025 (cf. September edition of the Cargo Tracker).
WGACS members unanimously congratulated IATA for the “excellent” Improvised Incendiary Device Guidance document. Several members noted the value that the guidance has provided to industry members. ICAO, through the WGACS, is preparing a State Letter on the IID sabotage incidents, which will be released to ICAO Member States shortly.
IATA provided an update on the CSD/e-CSD reform initiative to the WGACS, including an overview of the key proposed adjustments and the project timeline. IATA requested assistance and feedback from WGACS members to help guide the reform initiative, with bilateral State outreach to commence shortly.
Other topics discussed during the WGACS meeting included:
- Airmail security
- Status of new technologies for screening air cargo and mail
- Unmanned aircraft
- Supply Chain regulated entities (Regulated Agent and Known Consignor)
- Ongoing response to the IID sabotage incidents
The meeting highlighted once again the value of industry-government-association partnership in our shared goal of protecting and securing global air cargo and supply chains.