BERLIN (March 15, 2016) – The industry needs to work together to transform air cargo and improve its value, according to the International Air Transport Association.
“Last year’s Global Shipper’s Survey revealed that air cargo rated an average satisfaction score of 7/10,” said Tony Tyler, director general and CEO of IATA, who was speaking at IATA’s 10th annual World Cargo Symposium held in Berlin. “That is not good enough for what should be a premium service. Our challenge, therefore, is to increase the service quality of air cargo so that our customers value the industry more.”
There are two main elements to that, according to Tyler.
The first is the top priority of safety, particularly in the context of lithium-ion batteries and unit load devices.
Tyler said that the lack of government enforcement led to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s ban on lithium-ion batteries being transported in the bellies of passenger aircraft, and that IATA would very soon be launching a campaign to improve the safety and quality of ULDs.
He then compared the development of the passenger experience to the cargo side, saying that ground-breaking air cargo solutions are needed.
“Perhaps the answer lies in industry data-sharing platforms,” said Tyler. “Maybe new entrants in the marketplace will arrive with disruptive innovations. Or possibly e-commerce will be the igniter of change. The industry certainly cannot afford to miss the opportunities that e-commerce is opening up.”
Tyler concluded by saying that the air cargo industry is facing momentous change, with new entrants and new technologies.
“No-one can be sure exactly what will change or how,” he said. “But if the air cargo business can stay focused on the customer, delivering a reliable, high-quality service at a competitive price, and building on the speed and flexibility for which air freight is renowned, then the business will survive and prosper.”
[For more from the IATA World Cargo Symposium, please see the next issue of Asia Cargo News.]