The 15th World Freight Conference (WCS), which opened in London recently, outlined the following priorities: net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, continued process modernisation, the search for better solutions to transport lithium batteries safely, and the need for air freight to attract new talent.

Mr Brendan Sullivan, IATA's Global head of Air Cargo, said: "Air Cargo had a stellar year in 2021 with revenues of $204 billion. However, the current social and economic challenges are intensifying, with the Russian-Ukrainian conflict disrupting supply chains, jet fuel prices remaining high and economic volatility slowing GDP growth. Still, the outlook for air cargo remains positive. E-commerce continues to grow, COVID-19 restrictions are being eased, and high-value specialty cargo products are growing, showing that air cargo remains resilient enough to withstand economic fluctuations. Going forward, it is critical to achieve net zero carbon emissions, modernize processes, find better solutions to safely transport lithium batteries, and keep air cargo attractive to high and new talent."

1. On the road to net zero carbon emissions by 2050

In 2021, the aviation industry unanimously adopted a balanced plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Its emission reduction path is roughly as follows:

65% through Sustainable aviation Fuel (SAF)

13% comes from hydrogen propulsion

3% comes from more efficient operations

19% through offsets and ultimately through carbon capture as an out-of-industry solution in the process of technology development.

"The SAF is the key to achieving net zero carbon emissions. In 2021 airlines used every drop of available SAF. This year will be no different. The production capacity of SAF is the current challenge. The government needs policies to boost production. With the right incentives, the SAF could reach 30 billion litres by 2030. The year 2030 will be the tipping point for us to achieve net zero carbon emissions that provide sufficient quantities of SAF at an affordable price."

2. Modern and efficient

"The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have given us confidence that the industry can change and adapt quickly to meet customers' expectations for modernisation. We need to take advantage of air cargo's unique selling points to move faster and adapt." Mr. Sullivan pointed out.

Iata highlights two areas where progress has been made:

IATAONERecord enables all parties in the industry value chain to see the same shipping information. It is already used by 156 companies and customs offices in four countries.

The IATA Interactive Cargo Guide provides a common framework for tracking devices to monitor the quality and condition accuracy of aged and temperature-sensitive cargo.

It is also vital that governments support the modernization process by promoting trade.

"The revised Kyoto Convention is an important link to support global trade by providing standards, technology, predictability, and accelerating trade facilitation and the World Customs Organization (WCO) security standards framework. But in the areas where the two instruments should be harmonised, governments have too many different requirements. Rapid change is needed to continue to support global trade through modern and efficient air cargo and to make a vital contribution to the economy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Universal adoption and deployment on a global scale will create the greatest benefits." Mr. Sullivan emphasized.

Step 3 Be safe

Safety, especially finding better solutions to safely transport lithium batteries, is one of the industry's priorities.

"We are proud to further improve the safe transportation of lithium batteries. This is the number one issue for air cargo. However, even the best regulatory structure will not help if the rules are not followed. Compliance is a pain point for lithium battery transportation, especially with the proliferation of new and inexperienced entrants in e-commerce activities." Mr. Sullivan said.

Iata calls for:

Regulators (EASA and FAA) have expedited the development of testing standards to demonstrate that fire-resistant tray covers and fire-resistant containers can withstand fires involving lithium batteries.

Authorities need to step up efforts to punish unscrupulous manufacturers and exporters of lithium batteries.

The industry should use technologies such as DGAutocheck to more easily and accurately verify shipment compliance with DG requirements.

To integrate best practices into the safe transport of lithium batteries across the value chain, IATA has expanded the CEIV lithium Battery programme to include airlines and shippers.

4. Talent

"Talent is at the heart of the development of the air cargo industry. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the loss of thousands of jobs in the aviation industry, especially cargo handlers. Competition in the job market is fierce. When we find the right and willing people, training and an unusually long security clearance process delay their entry into the job." Mr. Sullivan said.

Iata is calling on governments to speed up the approval process, including the security clearance process, as a short - and long-term solution to better attract, recruit and retain talent.

Iata is encouraging more freight carriers to sign up to the 25% Initiative 2025 to promote gender diversity. "The industry is struggling to attract enough talent, especially to create equal opportunities for half the world's female population. Achieving gender equality must be at the heart of any long-term talent strategy." Mr. Sullivan emphasized.

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