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IATA Expands Use of AI in Air Cargo Operations

[ March 13, 2026   //   Gary Burrows ]

The International Air Transport Association said it is expanding the use of artificial intelligence in air cargo operations through a series of initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, safety and collaboration across the industry.

The airline trade group announced three programs designed to help airlines, freight forwarders and ground handlers apply AI tools in operational decision-making and cargo management.

One initiative involves launching an AI-powered subject matter expert application that allows users to search key industry manuals by asking questions in plain language. The mobile and web-based tool will initially provide information from the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and the IATA Cargo Handling Manual, enabling operational teams to quickly find guidance on cargo handling and safety requirements.

IATA said the system will provide responses within seconds, helping personnel in time-sensitive environments access compliance and safety information more quickly. The association plans to expand the tool to cover additional aviation publications over time.

The organization is also launching an Air Cargo AI Excellence Hub that will bring together airlines, freight forwarders, technology providers, ground handlers and regulators to share best practices and develop standards for the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence in cargo operations.

The hub will focus on issues including governance, compliance and operational integration of AI technologies across the global air cargo value chain.

In a third initiative, IATA and several strategic partners are studying how artificial intelligence could improve interline air cargo operations, where shipments move between airlines using different information technology systems.

The project aims to develop a use case in which AI agents could allow airlines to collaborate in real time on bookings, disruptions and cargo transfers by enabling interoperability between different systems.

“The scope for AI to accelerate air cargo’s digital transformation is enormous,” said Brendan Sullivan, adding that the initiatives are intended to help the industry adopt AI technologies in ways that remain aligned with global aviation standards.

Tags: International Air Cargo Association