The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched the IATA Digitalisation Leadership Charter at the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Hong Kong, China. Cathay Cargo, CHAMP Cargosystems, Global Logistics System (HK) Company Limited, IAG Cargo, IBS Software, LATAM Cargo, and Lufthansa Cargo are the Charter’s inaugural signatories.

The Digitalisation Leadership Charter aims to accelerate the air cargo industry’s digitalisation journey by committing to five key guiding principles.

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Developed in consultation with IATA’s Cargo Advisory Council members and the wider air cargo community, the Charter seeks to drive innovation, enhance efficiency, and promote a sustainable and harmonized digital transformation. Central to the Charter is the importance of data sharing using IATA ONE Record for smooth and efficient data exchange.

“Digitalisation is imperative for the air cargo industry. It requires alignment to ensure a unified and effective approach. IATA has introduced the Digitalisation Charter to spearhead this alignment. By adhering to the Charter’s principles—such as adopting industry-wide standards, championing sustainability, ensuring ethical technology use, and upholding digital leadership — the Charter sets a benchmark for excellence,” said Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo.

“Our engagement in ONE Record, setting new standards in the digitalisation of our industry in the last few years, and now committing to IATA’s Digitalsation Leadership Charter as one of the first signatories are proof that we are pioneering this topic. We are looking forward to further driving digitalisation with our partners and getting the industry ready for the future,” adds Ashwin Bhat, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo.

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The Digital Leadership Guiding Principles include commitments to:

• Developing a unified and collaborative digital strategy that champions interoperability and global standards across the entire supply chain.
• Enhancing organizational resiliencethrough building robust digital infrastructure and implementing strategies that safeguard against cybersecurity risks while ensuring the responsible use of generative AI.
• Pursuing sustainable digitalisation with a focus on supporting eco-friendly technology initiatives.
• Pursuing digital excellence by staying ahead of digital trends, ensuring secure and sustainable practices, and establishing industry best practices.
• Using new technology ethically when embracing emerging technologies.