The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) have signed an agreement to implement the IATA-FIATA Air Cargo Program (IFACP).

The agreement was signed by IATA director general and chief executive officer, Tony Tyler, and FIATA president, Huxiang Zhao, and IFACP will replace the IATA Cargo Agency Program. Canada will be the pilot country for IFACP, with the phased rollout starting in early 2017 and completed by the end of 2018.

IATA senior vice president, financial and distribution services, Aleks Popovich says: “The IFACP also provides a framework to ensure that industry standards are relevant, pragmatic and fit for purpose. These standards cover the endorsement of freight forwarders and more broadly the safe, secure and efficient transportation of air cargo shipments.”

FIATA airfreight institute chairman, Rudi Sagel says: “IFACP will eliminate unnecessary administrative procedures and costs as well as free up valuable resources to tackle the complex challenges that today’s global trade presents. These include regulatory compliance, safety and security and the introduction of new technologies.”