SATS, Singapore Airlines first to join IATA's cargo programme SFOC

Dec 13, 2019: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched the Smart Facility Operational Capacity (SFOC) programme to raise global standards in cargo handling operations. SATS Ltd and Singapore Airlines are the first organizations to join the Smart Facility Operational Capacity (SFOC) program.

The SFOC aims to reduce audit complexity and duplication for cargo handling facilities.

This new IATA initiative has two components:
Standardized Global Audit Program: IATA has introduced the Smart Facility Operational Capacity Audit Certification (SFOC Audit Certification) to provide airlines with the assurance that SFOC Certified facilities are adhering to IATA’s Resolutions and Recommended Practices in cargo handling and with IATA’s Cargo Handling Manual (ICHM).

It is estimated 360,000 days per year are wasted annually on redundant cargo handling audits. The SFOC Audit Certification program aims to reduce redundant efforts across the industry by 50 percent through removing the need to validate generic cargo operation procedures.

Committed Audit Reduction: The Audit Reduction Commitment (ARC) is an industry pledge to reduce audits. Airlines participating in the SFOC program will undertake a gap analysis to determine which audit standards will not need to be assessed for SFOC certified facilities. The revised audit scope is then defined through the ARC.

Individual airlines will provide clear visibility on the potential audit reduction for SFOC certified facilities, ensuring there is a solid mechanism to eliminate redundant audits.