The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released the 2025 edition of its key industry manuals for cargo and ground handling operations. This new edition has over 350 changes and revisions that align with the evolving industry standards, global safety requirements, sustainability initiatives, and operator variations. Scroll on to learn more about these updates.
Key Highlights From 2025 Manuals Reflecting Latest Industry Standards
On Monday, IATA released the updated 2025 Manuals Reflecting Latest Industry Standards with more than 350 revisions and restrictions. IATA’s manuals serve as an essential resource for airlines, airports, ground service providers, freight forwarders, shippers, and manufacturers. In addition to setting industry standards, these manuals incorporate Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other recognised regulatory bodies.
As part of these updates, IATA added ten additional dangerous goods to the list. These include sodium-ion batteries (including equipment containing these batteries) and fire suppressant dispersing devices. Three new entries for battery-powered vehicles, depending on the type of battery providing the power have also been added to this list. Additionally, safety mitigation is being introduced with the “State of Charge” at which batteries are shipped.
As part of Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR) (earlier called the lithium battery shipping regulations, this manual has been expanded to include other battery types, such as –
- Sodium-ion batteries with organic electrolyte
- Wet, spillable batteries, filled with acid or alkali
- Non-spillable and other lightly regulated batteries.
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More About IATA’s Airport Handling Manual
Here are key updates from IATA’s Airport Handling Manual (AHM)-
1. Enhancements for contactless travel, including digitalised travel documentation and streamlined passenger verification.
2. Policy updates on unruly passengers and travel document checks to strengthen passenger management and airport security.
3. Integration of IEnvA (IATA Environmental Assessment) standards to support sustainability goals.
4. IATA Training Passport updates, facilitating skill recognition across different ground-handling employers.
Another highlight from IATA’s Compassionate Transportation Manual (CTM), is expanded guidance for the repatriation of human and pet remains by air, with newly developed best practices and checklists.
We hope this information was helpful for you all!
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