Air Cargo

IATA Pushes for Supply Chain Overhaul on Hazardous Cargo Risks

The International Air Transport Association has released a whitepaper calling for comprehensive measures to combat undeclared and misdeclared dangerous goods across the logistics network. IATA emphasized that security screening alone cannot serve as the primary defense against hazardous shipments entering the system undetected. Data from the first half of 2025 showed 80% of dangerous goods incidents involved concealed or falsely declared items, with lithium batteries, e-cigarettes and aerosols representing the most frequently identified products. IATA global head of cargo Brendan Sullivan stressed that every supply chain participant must play an active role in identifying violations upstream. While existing cargo screening provides an additional layer of protection, current screening technologies were primarily designed to detect weapons and explosives rather than hazardous commodities. The association urged governments to strengthen oversight and enforcement of dangerous goods regulations.