Air cargo faces digital and security overhaul as global supply chains grow more fragile

March 11, 2026 in Business, Trade & Industry, Transport, Travel & Tourism by Editor

The global air cargo industry is entering a new phase of reform as airlines, regulators and logistics companies move to modernise digital systems, strengthen global standards and improve supply chain security in response to rising geopolitical and regulatory pressures.

 

The global air cargo industry is accelerating efforts to modernise its digital infrastructure and strengthen security frameworks as mounting geopolitical disruptions and trade tensions reshape international supply chains.

Industry leaders say the sector must urgently address structural weaknesses in data sharing, regulatory coordination and cargo security if it is to maintain its role as a backbone of global commerce.

Those priorities were highlighted at the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Lima, where the International Air Transport Association outlined three key areas that will define the next phase of air cargo development: faster digitalisation, stronger global standards and enhanced safety and security.

“Air cargo plays a critical role in connecting businesses to global markets and keeping supply chains moving, even as the operating environment becomes more complex,” said Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo.

According to Sullivan, external shocks ranging from tariffs to geopolitical tensions are forcing the industry to focus on areas it can control, particularly digital systems, regulatory alignment and supply chain resilience.

Digital transformation reshaping cargo operations

At the centre of the industry’s transformation is the push to replace fragmented cargo data systems with a unified digital architecture.

For decades, air cargo documentation has relied on multiple disconnected databases maintained by airlines, freight forwarders, customs agencies and logistics companies. This fragmentation often leads to duplicated information, delays and compliance risks.

The industry is now attempting to address that problem through ONE Record, a digital standard designed to enable end-to-end cargo data sharing across the supply chain.

Since January 2026, ONE Record has become the preferred method for exchanging cargo data across the industry.

Airlines responsible for more than 70 percent of global air waybill volumes are already moving toward implementation. However, the transition will depend on broader adoption by freight forwarders, regulatory acceptance by governments and investment from technology providers building interoperable digital platforms.

The need for a more integrated data ecosystem has become particularly urgent with the rapid expansion of cross-border e-commerce shipments, which generate enormous volumes of cargo documentation that must remain synchronised across multiple jurisdictions.

The challenge of fragmented global standards

Beyond digitalisation, regulators and airlines are also grappling with growing inconsistencies in global aviation standards.

One area of concern involves the handling of dangerous goods, where national regulatory variations have multiplied over the years. The industry now faces more than 1,200 separate state or operator variations affecting how hazardous materials are handled in air transport.

While local differences are often unavoidable, aviation authorities warn that excessive fragmentation increases complexity in a system that relies heavily on globally harmonised rules.

The framework for transporting dangerous goods by air is anchored in International Civil Aviation Organization regulations under Annex 18, which provide the foundation for safe handling procedures worldwide.

However, industry leaders say those rules need to evolve to keep pace with rapidly changing logistics patterns, including the surge in lithium battery shipments and the growing risk of undeclared dangerous goods entering cargo networks.

Infrastructure access is another emerging pressure point for cargo carriers.

Unlike passenger airlines, cargo operators often struggle to secure long-term airport slots at major international hubs, limiting their ability to plan schedules and scale operations.

Industry leaders say this issue has become increasingly visible at major global hubs including Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Dubai International Airport and El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, where cargo flights often receive temporary or ad-hoc slots instead of historic allocations.

The industry argues that more transparent slot allocation systems, guided by the Worldwide Airport Slot Guidelines, are essential to ensuring cargo airlines can operate reliably within increasingly congested airport infrastructure.

Security risks rising across global logistics networks

Alongside operational challenges, aviation regulators are also warning about rising security risks within global cargo supply chains.

Air freight networks are increasingly seen as potential targets for criminal or malicious activity, including smuggling, sabotage or the transport of undeclared hazardous materials.

To address this risk, the industry is calling for wider adoption of the Cargo Consignment Security Declaration, a system used to confirm that shipments have undergone appropriate security screening throughout the supply chain.

However, implementation remains uneven across jurisdictions.

IATA is encouraging governments and logistics operators to transition toward electronic versions of the declaration, known as e-CSD, which could reduce manual processes while improving the accuracy and traceability of security data.

At the same time, industry leaders are seeking greater coordination between national cargo security programs, particularly those requiring pre-loading advance cargo information before shipments are loaded onto aircraft.

The push for digitalisation, stronger standards and improved security reflects a broader shift in how the air cargo industry views its role in global trade.

During the pandemic, air freight proved indispensable in maintaining supply chains for medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and high-value goods.

Since then, geopolitical tensions, trade disputes and supply chain disruptions have reinforced the need for more resilient logistics systems.

For airlines, regulators and logistics providers, the challenge now is ensuring that the air cargo ecosystem evolves quickly enough to handle rising demand, increasingly complex regulations and new technological risks.

Industry leaders say the outcome will determine whether air cargo can continue serving as one of the world’s most reliable connectors between production centres and global markets.