Industry management, including optimization, sustainability & collaboration
To address the competitive pressures facing air cargo, the industry challenged itself in 2014 to meet an important objective by 2020: seeking to optimize the air cargo supply chain for every commodity type transported by air to provide shippers with greater transparency, reliability and predictability. To meet this goal, air cargo must modernize its processes, improving quality and reliability, and widen the range of services offered. Key factors of success are data integration, process integration and supply chain partnerships based on common and mutually beneficial scenarios. In order to support the required industry optimization, IATA will launch a project designed to identify industry pain points, categorize into priority topics and propose a subsequent series of initiatives designed to support and lead where required the desired transformational outcome.
Acknowledging the need for the air cargo industry to develop long-term strategies and investments, IATA is working on several cargo sustainability initiatives tackling environmental, social and economic issues. It includes the Future Air Cargo Executive (FACE) program and its three-pillar strategy to attract, develop and retain talents in the air cargo industry; the air cargo carbon footprint (ACCF) work on the environment side; as well as the value of air cargo marketing campaign.
The industry recognizes that transformation and industry success and sustainability can only be achieved through collaborative efforts. Therefore it is focused on developing partnerships to strengthen air cargo. One key element of industry collaboration is the Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG) comprised of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA); The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA); the Global Shippers Forum (GSF); and IATA. Their activities are centered on areas of common interest and establishing a unified voice for air cargo. Current work is focused on the priority areas of e-commerce, customs and trade facilitation, security, and sustainability. Until end of 2016, IATA will act as the Chairman and Secretary of GACAG.
In collaboration with FIATA, IATA is evolving the Cargo Agency Program to better address contemporary issues of accreditation, governance, training, and supplier and buyer collaboration. The role of today’s freight forwarder has evolved significantly to the extent that the forwarder is on most occasions acting on behalf of the shipper and procuring space from an airline. This principle-to-principle relationship between airlines