Getting involved in the digital future of air cargo

The IATA Strategic Partnerships program combined two critical areas of its digital cargo offering, looking at the development of standards and guidance related to data and communication in air cargo:

Data Sharing Standard

IATA, through its Digital Cargo team, is developing a standard for data sharing, to create a single record view of a shipment. The ONE Record standard defines a common data model for the data that is shared via standardized and secured web API. The standard is based on mature but progressive data sharing technologies that are well aligned with the best practices used by leading airlines. This makes it directly accessible to IT teams and service providers.

During the last World Cargo Symposium  held in Istanbul (Türkiye), the Cargo Services Conference (CSC) endorsed the creation of a Digital Cargo Roadmap to execute the activities required to target ONE Record to be the only IATA effective data sharing standard as of 1 January 2026.

The vision for ONE Record is an end-to-end digital logistics and transport supply chain where data is easily and transparently exchanged in a digital ecosystem of air cargo stakeholders, communities, and data platforms.

The objective of ONE Record is to address the main challenges of e-freight and unlock the possibilities of a full digital air cargo industry and create opportunities for new value-added services and business models.

Making Cargo Talk

Air cargo customers demand more end-to-end visibility and real-time information about their shipments. The demand for these capabilities is expanding with the growth of e-commerce and increased quantities of special cargo flown. Online retailers and shoppers wish to know where their shipments are at any time. Producers of fresh food, perishable items and pharmaceuticals wish to know in which conditions their shipments are moving.

The Interactive Cargo project means to equip the air cargo supply chain with responsive air cargo services based on intelligent systems able to self-monitor, send real-time alerts, respond to deviations to meet customers’ expectations, and report on the cargo journey. 

Industry benefits

The objective is to address the main challenges of e-freight and unlock the possibilities of a full digital air cargo industry and create opportunities for new value-added services and business models.

It brings the following benefits to the industry:

• Data quality and control: Data is shared by a data owner who is in full control of data quality. Data stays at the source and the owner determines who may or may not access their data.
• Visibility and transparency: Covering the end-to-end transportation chain, from the shipper to the consignee. Each party is able to share data of the shipment with relevant parties, ensuring enhanced visibility and transparency.
• Plug & Play connectivity: Facilitating direct connectivity between all the industry stakeholders through the use of web API, leading to new cooperative IT solutions and innovation.
• Future of digital cargo: Creating the foundation for true digital air cargo where airlines, their partners and service providers will be able to develop collaborative and automated digital services.
• Welcome a new generation: Providing a technology platform that is ready for a new generation of digital natives who will be leading the logistics and transport industry within a decade.

Digital Cargo Strategic Partner Benefits

• Participate in selected virtual and/or face-to-face meetings with the IATA Digital Cargo team and participate in the new standards collaboration tool.
• Exposure to the latest developments/trends in the air cargo industry at various IATA events and explore opportunities within the air cargo sector and get updates on the industry’s latest thought leadership.
• Benefit from sponsorship/exhibition opportunities at IATA World Cargo Symposium and CNS Conference and any digital cargo events organized by IATA and the opportunity to network with airlines and IATA specialists in digital cargo.

Please see the Digital Cargo Product Sheet for more details.