The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has published its 2025 editions of essential manuals for cargo and ground handling, incorporating over 350 changes and revisions to reflect evolving industry standards, state regulations, and operator practices. These updates are crucial for ensuring safe, sustainable, and efficient operations across the aviation value chain.
Key Updates Across Manuals:
Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR): The DGR sees significant changes, including:
- Ten new dangerous goods classifications, such as sodium-ion batteries and fire suppressant dispersing devices.
- Three new entries for battery-powered vehicles, categorized by battery type.
- Enhanced safety measures, including specifying the “State of Charge” for shipped batteries.
- Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR): Expanding beyond lithium batteries, the BSR now covers:
- Sodium-ion batteries with organic electrolyte.
- Wet, spillable batteries (acid or alkali).
- Non-spillable and other lightly regulated batteries.
Live Animals Regulations (LAR): Updates include:
- Integration of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and IUCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature) species database references.
- Revised specifications for animal transport containers.
Airport Handling Manual (AHM): This manual addresses modern travel needs, including:
- Updates related to contactless travel and digitalized documentation.
- Incorporation of policy changes regarding unruly passengers and travel document checks.
- Reference to IEnvA (IATA Environmental Assessment) for environmental management.
- Updates to the IATA Training Passport for ground handling skill recognition.
Compassionate Transportation Manual (CTM): The CTM now features:
- New best practices, updated guidance, and a checklist for the repatriation of human and animal remains.
- References to IATA Cargo iQ and ONE Record.
ONE Source Platform Enhances Special Cargo Handling:
Complementing the manuals, IATA’s ONE Source platform provides free industry access to validate aviation capabilities and infrastructure, including temperature-controlled rooms and special handling facilities, thereby improving the handling of specialized cargo shipments.
Industry Collaboration for Safe and Sustainable Operations:
IATA standards are relied upon by key aviation stakeholders—airlines, airports, ground service providers, freight forwarders, shippers, and manufacturers—to promote safe, sustainable, and efficient operations. The IATA manuals reflect the Standards and Recommended Practices agreed upon by governments through the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other recognized standard-setting bodies, ensuring global harmonization and best practices.
