The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has highlighted four priorities to build resilience and strengthen air cargo’s post-pandemic prospects.
According to a press statement by IATA on Tuesday, the priorities, outlined at the 15th World Cargo Symposium (WCS), which opened in London today include: Achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Others are: Continuing to modernize processes; Finding better solutions to safely carry lithium batteries and Making air cargo attractive to new talent.
“Air cargo had a stellar year in 2021 achieving $204 billion in revenues. At present, however, social and economic challenges are mounting.
“The war in Ukraine has disrupted supply chains, jet fuel prices are high and economic volatility has slowed GDP growth.
“Despite this, there are positive developments. E-commerce continues to grow, COVID restrictions are easing, and high-value specialized cargo products are proving resistant to economic ups-and-downs.
“Going forward, achieving our net zero commitment, modernizing processes, finding better solutions to safely carry lithium batteries, and making air cargo attractive to new talent are critical,” said Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo.
On the road to Net Zero by 2050, Sullivan noted that in 2021 the aviation industry agreed a balanced plan to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
He added that a potential scenario for this is: 65% through Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF); 13% from hydrogen and electric propulsion; 3% from more efficient operations and 19% through offsets and eventually through carbon capture, as an out-of-sector solution while technology develops.
“SAF is the key to achieving net zero emissions. Airlines used every drop that was available in 2021. And it will be the same this year. The challenge is SAF production capacity.
“The solution is government incentives. With the right incentives, we could see 30 billion liters of SAF by 2030. That would be a tipping point by 2030 towards our net zero ambition of ample SAF quantities at affordable prices,” said Sullivan.
Also, on modernization and efficiency Sullivan said: “The challenges of the COVID crisis gave us confidence that we can change and adapt fast.
“We need to use that confidence to get even closer to the expectations for modernization that our customers have. And we need to be true to air cargo’s unique selling point and move even faster.”
Sullivan added that IATA highlighted two areas where progress was being made to include: IATA’s ONE Record which is making it possible for everyone across the industry’s value chain to see the same information on shipments, adding that already 156 companies and four customs authorities are using it.
Sullivan explained that IATA Interactive Cargo Guidance provides a common framework so that tracking devices can monitor the quality and accuracy of conditions of time and temperature sensitive goods.
“Government support for the modernization agenda through facilitating trade is also critical.
“The Revised Kyoto Convention which brings standardization, technology, predictability and speed to trade facilitation and the World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework of standards to facilitate and secure trade are major steps forward in supporting global trade.
“But we are still seeing far too many diverging requirements by governments in areas that should be harmonized by these two tools.
“This needs to change quickly so we can continue to support global trade – and its vital contributions to economies and the UN Sustainable Development Goals – with modern and efficient air cargo. Universal adoption and implementation will deliver the greatest benefits,” said Sullivan.
On safety, he said that specifically finding better solutions to safely carry lithium batteries was highlighted as a priority for the industry.
“We can be proud of the progress that we are making to further improve the safe handling of lithium batteries. For air cargo, this is a top priority.
“But even the best regulatory structure means nothing if the rules are not followed. Compliance is an issue with the transport of lithium batteries, particularly with the proliferation of new – and inexperienced – entrants in e-commerce activities,” said Sullivan.
