IATA group Cargo iQ has completed its new external audit of Qatar Airways Cargo, Kuehne + Nagel and Emirates SkyCargo, and added Menzies Aviation as a new member.

According to Cargo iQ, the new Member Audit and Certification Scheme is administered by independent auditors SGS.

“The response of our members and the industry to our new external audit has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Ariaen Zimmerman [right in both photos], executive director of Cargo iQ. “In an industry which can fall into a cycle of being inward-facing, the value of external validation on our processes and procedures is clear. Each and every one of our members has the opportunity to improve their operations through this.”

The certification process involves a two-day on-site visit, during which members are audited to demonstrate that their processes and services are compliant with quality standards for the worldwide air cargo industry, as created and implemented by the Cargo iQ membership.

“We thank Cargo iQ for recognizing Qatar Airways Cargo’s steadfast efforts in upholding our quality standards,” said Guillaume Halleux, acting chief officer of cargo at Qatar Airways. “We are a proud Cargo iQ member. Air cargo is such an interconnected industry that no success is possible without a consistent and coherent collaboration by all parties in the logistics chain. This certification is certainly a booster for us to continue our active participation in the Cargo iQ working group, setting industry standards that bring progressive changes to the air cargo industry. As one of the world’s leading cargo carriers, we are committed to fostering our partnership with our ground-handling agents, our trucking providers and vendors to ensure excellence in operational delivery.”

Kuehne + Nagel received two certifications, one for its forwarding services and another for its internal IT system platform for Cargo iQ.

“Continuous process optimization is a crucial part of our air freight business strategy,” said Max Sauberschwarz, global head of carrier and gateway air logistics at Kuehne + Nagel. “We are delighted to be the first forwarder who has received the new Cargo iQ Phase 2 certificate. This confirms our high standards in air freight.”

Cargo iQ’s new audit programme is part of a series of initiatives aimed at improving the value Cargo iQ delivers to its members and to the global air cargo community.

Emirates SkyCargo joined the group in 2016 and has since integrated Cargo iQ shipment cycle management standards as the basis for its live shipment planning and tracking of cargo.

“With every Cargo iQ member that becomes accredited, we are another step towards a supply chain that is transparent and in control of its shipments,” said Zimmerman. “The way Emirates SkyCargo has integrated the Cargo iQ master operating plan with their internal procedures is a clear example of how implementing our standards offers so much more than a mere monthly report, and can actually lead to better process and shipment control.”

Emirates SkyCargo operates its own dedicated Cargo Operations Control Centre which uses live shipment data and Cargo iQ metrics to track the progress of a shipment’s journey against its route map and the delivery commitment created at the time of booking. Alerts are automatically generated when there is a deviation in milestones along the route map, allowing the COCC to intervene proactively and in real time, and take corrective measures at any point from origin to destination.

“Over the last two years we have worked on integrating the vision of Cargo iQ into our processes and our ‘Delivered as Promised’ commitment to our customers,” said Nabil Sultan [left in second photo], divisional senior vice president of cargo at Emirates. “Getting the Cargo iQ certification and the setting up of our 24/7 Cargo Operations Control Centre are the first steps in a journey where we can be more transparent and at the same time more proactively support our customer promises.”

All four companies were presented with their certifications at the World Cargo Symposium in Dallas, Texas.

“We have recently launched our new cargo strategy across our network and joining Cargo iQ is an integral part of our drive for excellence and a standardized approach to our customers’ expectations.” said Robert Fordree [second from right in first photo], vice president of cargo development at Menzies Aviation Plc.

Cargo iQ has also launched an Air Cargo Intelligence Hub that gives members real-time access to their performance data, enabling them to develop new products and improve processes. Members are able to view combined performance data of other members and benchmark themselves against the Cargo iQ community.

Cargo iQ brings together over 80 stakeholders from all aspects of the air cargo supply chain, including airlines, forwarders, ground handlers, technology providers and airports, to collaborate on developing and implementing service standards in the air cargo industry.