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The International Air Transport Association released the 2027 editions of its key cargo and ground operations manuals, introducing revisions to global standards for dangerous goods, batteries, live animals and airport handling
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The updates incorporate revisions to align industry practices with evolving global standards, regulations and operational requirement
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Manuals cover the following: Dangerous Goods Regulations, Battery Shipping Regulations, Live Animals Regulations, and Airport Handling
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IATA is expanding digital tools and AI-enabled capabilities to embed its standards more directly into cargo and ground operations
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released the 2027 editions of its key cargo and ground operations manuals, introducing revisions to global standards covering dangerous goods, batteries, live animals and airport handling.
The updated manuals incorporate changes to keep industry practices aligned with evolving regulations, technology, and operational requirements, IATA announced.
Dangerous goods, battery rules updated
The 2027 Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) include clarifications on packaging requirements, as well as new restrictions and requirements covering spare batteries and power banks.
It also introduces requirements for lithium battery-powered mobility aids, including new operator obligations for devices exceeding 300 watt-hours (Wh).
Updates to State and Operator Variations include new variations from 17 states.
The Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR), meanwhile, introduce provisions for hybrid batteries containing both lithium-ion and sodium-ion cells.
READ: CAAP to strictly enforce dangerous goods training manual, program in 2026
The manual also revises packing instructions for sodium-ion and prototype batteries and clarifies exclusions from the four-cell/two-battery limit for certain battery shipments.
A new requirement also calls for battery marks to be displayed on the same package surface as other applicable hazard labels.
Live animal, airport handling standards revised
The 2027 Live Animals Regulations (LAR) expands species listings to include specific pathogen-free laboratory animals and standardizes terminology and metric measurements for container requirements.
It also updates procedures for cleaning and disinfecting aircraft cargo compartments.
A Portuguese-language version of the LAR is now available following Brazil’s adoption of the regulations.
The Airport Handling Manual (AHM) adds guidance for biometric handling in contactless travel, including processes at touchpoints and privacy and ethical considerations.
It also introduces advanced provisions covering autonomous ground service equipment operating near aircraft.
IATA expands digital tools
IATA said its digital tools are increasingly being integrated with the industry processes supported by its manuals, with artificial intelligence (AI) expected to play a growing role as aviation moves toward more connected, automated and data-driven operations.
Among the tools are LAR Verify, an automated compliance verification system for live animal shipments, and e-Battery Shipping Regulations (e-BSR), which introduces interactive classification scenarios.
DG Digital, a module of DG Autocheck, enables users to create and manage Shipper’s Declarations for Dangerous Goods, while the digital version of the DGR has been enhanced to improve navigation and access to dangerous goods information.
Digital Load Verification (DLV) is designed to verify aircraft loading activities. IATA said the tool can reduce loading errors by more than 80% and loading-related delays by up to 30%.
READ: Global air cargo demand rises 3.9% in July – IATA
“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. This is a major step toward advancing safer, more efficient airline operations, and is soon to be super-charged by the power of AI,” said Frederic Leger, IATA’s senior vice president of products and services.
