Supply chain resilience: Up in the air?

The air cargo industry isn’t just about shipping goods, it’s about safely bearing civilisation forward… It plays a vital role in maintaining resilient supply chains across the globe, as revealed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

IATA, representing approximately 340 airlines and more than 80% of global air traffic, recently emphasised the vital role of air cargo in maintaining global supply chain resilience. At the 18^th World Cargo Symposium (WCS) held in Dubai in April, it called on governments and industry stakeholders to focus on delivering fundamental customer expectations: safety, security, digitalisation, and sustainability.

“Whether supporting global trade, enabling e-commerce, or delivering vital humanitarian aid, the value of air cargo has never been clearer,” said Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s global head of cargo, at the symposium. “To meet customer expectations and navigate an increasingly complex environment, the air cargo industry must continuously strengthen safety and security, fast-track digitalisation, and deliver on its sustainability commitments.”

Safety: Zero tolerance for rogue shippers

Safety remains the top priority for air transport, with a specific focus on the safe transport of lithium batteries in air cargo. IATA has called on governments to intensify efforts against rogue shippers and support the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO’s) work to strengthen Annex 18 of the Chicago Convention – the global framework for the safe transport of dangerous goods by air.

“Shipments of lithium batteries are growing in volume. With that come increased risks associated with undeclared or mis-declared goods. The industry has invested in training, certification, and technology. Governments must match that commitment with robust oversight and enforcement,” Sullivan elaborated.

Security: the need for coordinated, risk-based measures

Following recent incidents involving concealed combustible devices in shipments, IATA reinforced its call for governments to implement a coordinated, risk-based approach to air cargo security. While some states have put new measures in place, the lack of alignment has led to inconsistent outcomes, highlighting the importance of harmonised responses based on global standards.

“Recent security incidents highlight the need for better coordination among governments. Aviation security cannot be built on fragmented or reactionary measures. Global standards and cooperation are essential,” said Sullivan.

IATA also renewed its appeal to states to fulfil their Annex 17 obligations by sharing timely and accurate threat intelligence, enabling informed risk assessments and operational decisions. “The industry is best placed to understand its operations and the associated safety and security risks,” said Sullivan, “but governments have infinitely more resources, particularly in intelligence gathering. The best results come when governments and industry work together.” 

Digitalisation: Accelerating industry-wide adoption of One Record

IATA reinforced the central role of One Record as the industry standard for end-to-end digital data exchange, supporting improved efficiency, compliance, and transparency.

“One Record is a foundational shift in how we share, manage, and trust data across the supply chain. Airlines, representing 72% of global air waybill volume, are on track to implement it. More than 100 IT providers and 10,000 freight forwarders are already aligned. To achieve full value, implementation must accelerate across all stakeholders, and governments must recognise One Record in their regulatory frameworks,” said Sullivan.

By January 2026, One Record is scheduled to become the preferred method of sharing data across the industry. To accelerate adoption, IATA urged airlines and forwarders to proceed with implementation, governments to recognise One Record in regulatory data filing requirements, and developers to build secure, open, and compatible digital platforms.

Sustainability: Strong commitment and SAF support needed

The air cargo industry continues to promote sustainability in its operations through efforts to reduce waste, implement circular practices, and phase out single-use plastics. For example, the IATA guidance on eliminating single-use plastics across the cargo supply chain is now reflected in operational standards.

Progress is also being made on the sector’s largest environmental challenge – reducing carbon emissions. Momentum around Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is growing, with new agreements across the value chain and more companies committing to SAF use. The recently launched SAF Registry, operated by the Civil Aviation Decarbonization Organization (CADO), is designed to enable a global market for SAF and accelerate the industry’s transition to net-zero emissions by 2050. Additionally, the IATA will soon launch CO₂ Connect for Cargo to support accurate emissions calculation and reporting, including SAF usage.

However, SAF volumes remain far below required levels, and production costs remain high. IATA urged governments to implement policy frameworks to scale up SAF production and reduce costs.

“We are committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050,” Sullivan stated, “but the ramp-up of SAF, our strongest lever, has been disappointing.

“The major fuel producers have been slow-walking or sidelining planned investments in SAF; aircraft manufacturers have backed off their commitments for medium-term delivery of CO₂-saving products such as hydrogen-powered aircraft; and governments have not provided the policy support needed, even though they have a playbook at hand with how the wind and solar energy industries expanded,” he continued. “Instead, they send mixed signals by subsidising fossil fuel extraction while aiming for net zero. Airlines are committed and determined, but we cannot do it alone. We need action behind the words of regulators, fuel suppliers, and manufacturers.”

Trade tensions

Amid growing trade tensions, IATA reinforced its position that trade drives prosperity, and that measures undermining the free flow of goods ultimately harm businesses, consumers, and economies. “Current trade tensions are deeply concerning. Trade drives prosperity; the more the world trades, the better off we all are. So, whatever the resolution of current trade tensions is, we know that air cargo will be there to deliver the goods people need and want,” Sullivan emphasised. 

So, while the challenges are stacking up like delayed flights on a thunder-filled day, IATA’s coalition of carriers is determined not to let supply chains crash and burn. After all, in a world where next-day delivery has become the norm, our economic future is quite literally up in the air.