IATA urges countries to take firm action on non-compliant DG shippers

"Too many undeclared or misdeclared lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery shipments are entering the system."

"That's just unacceptable."

Brendan Sullivan, Global Head of Cargo, IATA, raised the urgent need to address the safety concerns of the global air cargo industry.

"It puts aircraft at risk. It puts lives at risk."

He was speaking at the opening plenary of the International Air Transport Association’s 18th World Cargo Symposium (WCS) in Dubai on Tuesday (April 15, 2025).

He urged the civil aviation authorities to take firm enforcement action against non-compliant shippers.

"And," he added, "we need governments to actively support International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) work to strengthen Annex 18, the global framework for the safe transport of dangerous goods by air."

He shared a recent story from an East Asian airport cargo terminal where an inspector's vigilance prevented a safety risk involving undeclared Li-ion batteries.

"The airway bill listed mobile phone accessories, which is nothing out of the ordinary, but one package caught an inspector's attention during the routine inspection. It contained damaged and undeclared Li-ion batteries."

The successful intervention of the inspector stopped a serious safety risk that was just hours away from being loaded onto the aircraft.

"That happened because of our industry's safety culture and the support that we had put in place. The inspector had just completed the IATA Dangerous Goods Training. He was helped by DG Auto Check, which caught the mismatch between what was declared and what was in the box," he added.

Building on the security threats and particularly on hiding incendiary devices in cargo, Sullivan urged countries to share baseline factual threat information so that airlines can assess risk and respond effectively.

"We urge states to live up to their Annex 17 obligations."

"Acts like forcing down aircraft and hiding incendiary devices in cargo must be condemned clearly and without exception. Civil aviation must never be used as a pawn in geopolitical disputes."

Following recent incidents where incendiary devices were concealed in packages and ignited, he pointed out that some states imposed new security measures, but without coordination.

"Responses were inconsistent. Some were ineffective, while others were later reversed. It was far from the joint-up, risk-based approach based on global damage that was needed."

Sullivan also stated "deeply concerned" about the current trade tariff tensions.

"Whatever the resolution of current trade tension is, we know that air cargo will be there to deliver the goods people need and want, and to do that, it is critical that we remain focused on the fundamental expectations of our customers, that we are safe, we operate with modernised processes and are driving towards sustainability," he said.

He pointed out that on an average day, 180,000 tonnes of goods reach their destination by air.

"This is the lifeblood of global trade, driving growth, creating jobs and spreading prosperity."

He stressed the importance of air cargo in delivering vital medical supplies to clinics in Sudan and Yemen and in delivering relief supplies to Myanmar after the March 2025 earthquake.

"Of course," he added, "these are extreme circumstances, but they're a powerful reminder of air cargo's vital role day in and day out."