The International Air Cargo Association has launched an online cargo service quality tool to help improve visibility and facilitate global standards across the air cargo supply chain.
According to TIACA, the initiative was developed after a year of research undertaken by a team of board members led by Sanjiv Edward, chairman of the association and head of the cargo business at Delhi International Airport, and Cheemeng Wong, senior vice president of cargo services at SATS Ltd.
The new tool helps to provide shippers with the ability to view the quality of service delivered by players in the air cargo supply chain.
“In my interactions with shippers it has been reaffirmed that the lack of visibility and absence of uniform global standards results in air freight business deals being limited by cost considerations, lack of product improvements, and perceived lack of value for money,” said Edward.
Other board members who are backing the CSQ measure include Steven Polmans, head of cargo and logistics at Brussels Airport Company, and Amar More, chief executive officer of Kale Logistics Solutions.
“This initiative will play a key role in standardizing cargo quality assessment globally, establishing new benchmark parameters, identifying strength and improvement areas, optimizing investments and sharing best practice in the industry,” said Wong.
Participants will be able to fill out an online cargo quality assessment form either every quarter or every six months, and will have access to a customized quality dashboard. Key benefits of taking part include gap analyses in order to identify strength and improvement areas, and best practice sharing.
The pilot phase of the programme includes assessment tools for airports and cargo terminal operators. It will eventually be available to measure other segments of the air cargo supply chain.
“The Cargo Service Quality initiative is a logical step for an association like TIACA, that integrates all the players of the air cargo supply chain,” said Vladimir Zubkov, secretary general of TIACA.
The programme has already received backing from airports such as Hong Kong International Airport, Singapore Changi Airport, New Delhi Airport, Brussels Airport and Beijing Capital Airport, according to TIACA.
