The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released the 2027 editions of its cargo and ground operations manuals, introducing updated requirements covering dangerous goods, batteries, live animals and aircraft handling.
Changes to the Dangerous Goods Regulations include revised packaging instructions, restrictions for spare batteries and power banks, and new requirements for lithium battery-powered mobility aids exceeding 300Wh.
IATA’s Battery Shipping Regulations now include provisions for hybrid batteries containing lithium-ion and sodium-ion cells, alongside revised packing instructions for sodium-ion and prototype batteries.
The Live Animals Regulations introduce updated aircraft cargo compartment cleaning and disinfection procedures, while the Airport Handling Manual adds guidance covering biometric handling for contactless travel and autonomous ground service equipment operating near aircraft.
Alongside the regulatory updates, IATA is increasing the integration of its standards into digital cargo and ground handling processes, with artificial intelligence (AI) expected to play a growing role as operations become more connected and automated.
New and enhanced tools include automated compliance verification for live animal shipments, interactive battery classification scenarios and digital management of dangerous goods declarations.
IATA is also introducing Digital Load Verification to verify aircraft loading activities, which it says can reduce loading errors by more than 80% and loading-related delays by up to 30%.
Frederic Leger, IATA’s senior vice president of products and services, said: “Our 2027 manual revisions reflect advancements in technology, regulation, and customer needs.
“As our manuals are used in a more digitally connected environment, we are focusing on creating tools that integrate them into the critical processes and activities that underpin cargo and ground operations.”
Leger described this as “a major step toward advancing safer, more efficient airline operations”, adding that it would soon be “super-charged by the power of AI”.
