At the 2026 IATA World Cargo Symposium in Lima, Peru, the industry set a clear agenda. Three priorities emerged: accelerate digitalisation, strengthen global standards, and enhance safety and security. For freight forwarders navigating complex routes and tight margins, these shifts matter.
Air cargo moves global trade. But fragmented data, inconsistent regulations, and uneven infrastructure access slow it down. IATA outlined practical fixes to build resilience where the industry can control outcomes.
“Air cargo plays a critical role in connecting businesses to global markets and keeping supply chains moving, even as the operating environment becomes more complex.”
– Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo
Priority One: Accelerate Digitalisation with ONE Record
The air cargo data sits in fragmented systems across the supply chain. Duplication, delays, and compliance risks follow. ONE Record became the preferred method for cargo data exchange from January 2026. Airlines accounting for more than 70% of global air waybill volumes are on track for implementation.
ONE Record is a standardised data-sharing solution. It connects forwarders, carriers, handlers, and customs in one workflow. No tabs. No spreadsheets. No email chains. The system reduces manual processes and improves data accuracy across borders.
For SME freight forwarders, this shift delivers speed. Quote to booking moves faster. Compliance becomes clearer. Clients get real-time milestone updates without chasing multiple parties.
“ONE Record represents a foundational shift in how the industry shares, manages, and trusts data across the supply chain.”
The platform enables end-to-end cargo data sharing. It cuts fragmentation. It improves visibility. And it gives smaller operators the same digital tools the giants use.
Priority Two: Strengthen Global Standards
Global standards keep cargo moving safely and predictably. But complexity has grown. The number of state and operator variations for handling dangerous goods has reached over 1,200. That creates confusion in safety-critical operations.
ICAO Annex 18 provides the global foundation for safe transport of dangerous goods by air. But local deviations undermine consistency. IATA is pushing for transparent, justified alignment with global standards. Fewer variations mean faster compliance and lower risk.
Fair Access to Airport Slots
Infrastructure access matters as much as regulations. Major cargo hubs including Bogotá, Dubai, Heathrow, and Gatwick often provide only temporary or ad hoc slots to cargo carriers. Historic allocations go elsewhere. This limits operational planning and restricts growth.
IATA advocates for slot allocations to follow the Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines. Cargo carriers need fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory access. Without it, supply chains suffer.
“Global standards and equitable infrastructure access are essential to maintaining reliable air cargo connectivity as trade evolves.”
– Brendan Sullivan
For forwarders booking multi-leg routes, predictable slot access means reliable transit times. It protects margin. It keeps clients informed. And it lets SMEs compete on service, not just price.
Priority Three: Enhance Safety and Security
Safety and security are shared responsibilities. IATA is calling for modernised frameworks that reflect digital supply chains and fast-moving trade. Two areas need urgent attention: dangerous goods oversight and cargo security declarations.
Modernising Dangerous Goods Frameworks
Undeclared dangerous goods and lithium battery misuse pose real risks. ICAO Annex 18 must evolve to address these emerging threats. Digital tools can improve detection. Real-time data sharing can flag anomalies before cargo moves.
For forwarders, better frameworks mean fewer disruptions. Compliance becomes clearer. Shipments move faster. And clients trust the process.
Strengthening Cargo Security with e-CSD
The Consignment Security Declaration (CSD) is a critical compliance tool. But implementation varies across jurisdictions. IATA is calling for wider adoption of electronic CSD (e-CSD) solutions. Digital declarations improve data accuracy, reduce manual errors, and strengthen oversight.
Pre-loading advance cargo information programmes also need better alignment. When security data flows smoothly between systems, cargo moves without delays. Forwarders quote faster. Clients get better visibility. And margins stay intact.
“Safety and security are shared responsibilities across the cargo ecosystem. Updating frameworks and enhancing cooperation between governments and industry will ensure that global trade continues to move safely and efficiently.”
– Brendan Sullivan
Building Resilience in a Complex Operating Environment
External factors including tariffs and geopolitical shocks impact global supply chains. But the industry can control some variables. Digitalisation cuts overheads. Consistent standards reduce friction. Fair infrastructure access opens new lanes.
These three priorities matter because they shift power back to operators. SME freight forwarders gain tools to compete with large networks. Complex routing becomes simpler. Quote-to-book times shorten. And clients get the transparency they demand.
What This Means for Freight Forwarders
The shift to ONE Record gives smaller operators big-league digital tools. No subscription fees. No platform tax. Just faster workflows and better visibility. Forwarders can quote multi-leg routes in minutes, book direct, and track milestones in one portal.
Standardised regulations and fair slot access open global lanes. No branch network? No problem. The local hero becomes the global hero. And with modernised safety frameworks, compliance becomes a competitive advantage, not a bottleneck.
Air cargo will remain a reliable driver of economic growth. But only if the industry moves fast on digitalisation, standards, and security. The priorities are clear. As digital standards mature and regulatory alignment improves, forwarders that adapt early will be best positioned to compete.
