IATA Calls for Stronger Air Cargo Safety Measures to Prevent Dangerous Goods Incidents
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is calling for stronger collaboration across the air cargo supply chain to address the risks posed by undeclared and mis-declared dangerous goods. The association says a coordinated, multi-layered approach is essential to identify hazardous shipments earlier and strengthen aviation safety.
The call comes amid discussions among regulators about the role of existing aviation security screening systems in detecting dangerous goods. While screening remains an important safeguard, IATA emphasises that it was primarily designed to identify security threats and cannot independently address every risk associated with hazardous cargo.
According to IATA, around 80% of dangerous goods incidents reported to the association during the first half of 2025 involved undeclared or hidden dangerous goods. Lithium batteries, undeclared e-cigarettes and aerosols were among the products commonly identified.
The findings highlight the importance of accurate declarations, effective shipment acceptance procedures and cooperation between every organisation involved in transporting cargo by air.
Cargo Safety Requires a Multi-Layered Approach
Dangerous goods are transported safely by air every day when the applicable requirements are followed. However, shipments containing hazardous materials can create significant risks when their contents are concealed, incorrectly described or not declared in accordance with the relevant regulations.
IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations establish requirements for the safe transport of hazardous materials by air. These rules help ensure that dangerous goods are identified, packaged, documented and handled appropriately throughout the transportation process.
Problems arise when shipments enter the cargo network without accurate declarations. In such cases, airlines and other supply chain participants may not have the information needed to apply the correct handling procedures or identify potential hazards before loading.
Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo, said dangerous goods could be transported safely when requirements were followed, but concealed or incorrectly declared shipments presented a different challenge.
He stressed that every participant in the supply chain has a role in identifying and preventing incidents as early as possible. Security screening can provide an additional layer of protection against non-compliant shippers, but it should not be treated as a complete solution.
IATA is therefore advocating an approach that begins as far upstream in the supply chain as possible, rather than relying primarily on checks conducted at airports.
Why Existing Security Screening Is Not Enough
Air cargo security screening systems were developed primarily to detect explosives and other threats to aviation security. Although these systems are an important part of cargo protection, their purpose differs from identifying the full range of dangerous goods that may be present in a shipment.
Hazardous commodities can require different handling procedures depending on their composition, packaging and transportation requirements. If a product is not accurately declared, screening alone may not provide the information needed to manage its risks effectively.
Lithium batteries are one example of products that require appropriate identification and handling. Other items, including e-cigarettes and aerosols, may also present risks when shipped without the correct declarations or documentation.
IATA’s position is that screening should complement, rather than replace, effective controls across the cargo supply chain. Better information at the point of manufacture, sale, shipment acceptance and handling can help identify potentially hazardous consignments before they reach the airport.
A coordinated system would allow different organisations to contribute to risk prevention according to their responsibilities and access to shipment information.
IATA Urges Governments and Industry to Strengthen Controls
In its white paper, Safety and Security in the Cargo Supply Chain, IATA outlines measures intended to improve the identification and management of undeclared and mis-declared dangerous goods.
The recommendations cover governments, manufacturers, online marketplaces, shippers, freight forwarders, postal operators, airlines, ground handlers and airports. Each group has a different role in ensuring that dangerous goods are correctly identified and handled.
Governments: Strengthen Oversight and Enforcement
IATA is calling on governments to strengthen oversight and enforcement of dangerous goods requirements throughout the cargo supply chain.
Consistent regulatory oversight can help ensure that businesses understand and comply with applicable requirements. Effective enforcement also supports accountability when shipments are incorrectly declared or fail to meet established standards.
Manufacturers and Online Marketplaces: Improve Product Information
Manufacturers and online marketplaces are encouraged to ensure that dangerous goods are correctly identified and certified where necessary. Product information should accurately describe the items being sold and provide the information needed to determine applicable shipping requirements.
This is particularly relevant to e-commerce, where products may pass through multiple logistics providers before reaching an airport. Accurate information at the point of sale can help downstream operators recognise potentially hazardous commodities before shipment.
Shippers, Freight Forwarders and Postal Operators: Improve Acceptance Controls
IATA recommends stronger training and shipment acceptance procedures for shippers, freight forwarders and postal operators.
These organisations can help identify discrepancies in shipment descriptions, documentation and customer information before cargo enters the airport environment. The association also encourages greater use of customer and shipment data to identify higher-risk consignments at an earlier stage.
Improved staff awareness and consistent acceptance processes can support the identification of shipments requiring additional review.
Airlines and Ground Handlers: Strengthen Pre-Loading Checks
Airlines and ground handlers are encouraged to reinforce checks before cargo is loaded onto aircraft.
These controls provide another opportunity to identify discrepancies, review relevant shipment information and ensure that cargo meets applicable requirements. Effective coordination between handlers and airlines can help prevent improperly declared dangerous goods from progressing further through the transportation process.
Airports: Improve Coordination and Information Sharing
IATA also calls on airports to improve coordination and information sharing across the cargo community.
Better communication between relevant stakeholders can help ensure that important shipment information reaches the organisations responsible for handling and transporting cargo. A more connected approach can support earlier identification of risks and more consistent responses to potential incidents.
Collaboration Is Key to Protecting Air Cargo Operations
The recommendations reflect IATA’s view that dangerous goods safety cannot depend on a single control or organisation. Each stage of the cargo journey provides an opportunity to improve identification, verify shipment information and prevent non-compliant goods from moving further through the network.
Collaboration is particularly important as cargo moves between manufacturers, online sellers, freight forwarders, postal operators, ground handlers, airlines and airports. Gaps in information or inconsistent procedures can make it more difficult to identify hazardous shipments before they reach aircraft.
A multi-layered approach combines accurate product information, regulatory oversight, staff training, data-led risk identification, effective acceptance procedures and appropriate checks before loading.
For the air cargo industry, the objective is to ensure that dangerous goods continue to move safely when declared and handled correctly, while reducing the risks created by concealed or incorrectly documented shipments.
IATA’s call for stronger collaboration places responsibility across the supply chain, with security screening remaining an important but limited component of the wider safety framework.
By reinforcing controls at multiple stages, the industry can work towards better identification of dangerous goods, improved information sharing and safer air cargo operations.
Ahmed Abdul Wasey
Managing Editor, Eat ‘N Stays
Ahmed Abdul Wasey is the Managing Editor in Eat ‘N Stays, overseeing all editorial coverage of travel, hospitality, and food across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region. He sets the publication’s editorial direction and reviews coverage across hotels, restaurants, tourism, cruise, and industry news before it publishes.
Have a story tip, correction, or question about our coverage? Reach Ahmed directly at pr@eatnstays.com.
