The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) has called for a formal review of proposed changes to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Direct Air Waybill (DAWB) framework, warning that the revisions could significantly alter liability structures and disrupt long-standing commercial practices in the global air cargo industry.
The debate centres on amendments being introduced under IATA’s Modernisation of the Global Air Cargo Programme. According to FIATA, the proposed framework changes may shift operational and legal responsibilities disproportionately onto freight forwarders while favouring larger market participants. The organisation argues that such changes could create uncertainty across the air cargo ecosystem at a time when supply chains are already facing geopolitical disruptions, cost pressures, and growing compliance demands.
FIATA stated that the current proposals require broader consultation and deeper analysis before implementation. The association emphasised that freight forwarders, airlines, insurers, and regulators must collectively evaluate the legal, operational, and insurance implications of the revised Direct Air Waybill structure.
The Direct Air Waybill is a critical document used in international air freight shipments where cargo moves directly between the shipper and airline without a traditional house air waybill issued by a freight forwarder. Industry experts note that any changes to the framework could affect liability allocation, cargo claims processes, and contractual obligations across the supply chain.
FIATA Director General Dr Stéphane Graber highlighted the importance of ensuring that industry modernisation efforts remain balanced and collaborative. The organisation has consistently supported digitalisation and efficiency improvements in air cargo but maintains that reforms should reflect real-world market practices and protect all stakeholders equally.
Industry concerns intensified following discussions at recent air cargo forums, where freight forwarders expressed apprehension over the pace and scope of the proposed revisions. Several stakeholders fear that the updated framework could increase legal exposure for intermediaries while reducing operational flexibility for smaller logistics providers.
According to FIATA, modernisation initiatives should enhance trust, interoperability, and resilience across the air cargo sector rather than create additional friction. The organisation also cautioned that introducing major changes without comprehensive legal and technical assessment could lead to increased disputes and market instability.
The issue arrives at a pivotal moment for the global air cargo industry, which is accelerating digital transformation initiatives, including electronic documentation and data-sharing systems. As airlines and logistics providers push for greater efficiency, industry bodies are under pressure to ensure that regulatory and procedural reforms do not undermine commercial balance.
FIATA has urged IATA and industry stakeholders to engage in further dialogue before finalising the Direct AWB framework changes. The association reiterated that collaborative governance and transparent consultation will be essential to maintaining confidence and stability in global air freight operations.
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Air India SATS Airport Services (AISATS) has introduced short-term Warehousing Solution (STW) at its BLR Logistics Park, offering freight forwarders and shippers flexible storage for urgent, last-minute and temporary cargo requirements. Designed for both general and temperature-controlled cargo, the solution enables customers to access storage on demand, with rental periods starting from just one day and no long-term lease requirements. Within its first year of operations, the AISATS BLR Logistics Park witnessed strong market traction and is on track to achieve full occupancy, underpinned by a compelling total cost of ownership proposition for customers. Spread across eight acres, the integrated facility brings together Grade A warehousing, a customs-bonded warehouse, a consolidation centre, cold storage, office spaces and a suite of value-added logistics services within a single ecosystem. In addition to storage, customers can access cargo inter-shuttle services, packing and labelling support, dedicated manpower, forklift service and other cargo facilitation services, making the Logistics Park a one-stop solution for their end-to-end warehousing and logistics requirements. Strategically located in close proximity to the airport and with seamless access to NH44, the facility helps significantly reduce transit times and transportation costs by eliminating the need to move cargo to off-airport warehouses located 40-50 kilometres away. The facility has attracted leading multinational logistics companies, including DHL, DSV, FedEx, Kuehne+Nagel, CEVA Logistics etc. which have established operations at the Logistics Park. The new STW extends these capabilities to mid-sized and smaller freight forwarders, shippers and businesses with occasional storage requirements. Instead of leasing dedicated warehouse space for extended periods, customers can access the facility on a short-term basis, according to their flexible needs. The solution is particularly relevant during peak cargo periods such as Diwali, Christmas and New Year, as well as for project cargo and oversized or specialised consignments. Recently STW solution was used to store odd-sized medical equipment that required special care, and special chemicals and pharmaceutical ingredients at its common user cold storage facility. Commenting on the development, Salim Chaudhary, Chief Operations Officer, AISATS, said, “The AISATS BLR Logistics Park was developed to address Bengaluru’s evolving air cargo and logistics requirements through world-class, integrated infrastructure. The response from the market has been extremely encouraging, with occupancy already reaching 70%, reflecting the strong value proposition and cost efficiencies the facility offers. As cargo volumes grow, we are witnessing increasing demand for flexible storage solutions, particularly for urgent, short-duration and specialised cargo requirements. Our Short-term Warehousing Solution has been introduced to address this need, enabling freight forwarders and shippers to access premium warehousing infrastructure on demand, without the constraints of long-term commitments.” With demand being driven by high-value sectors including electronics, semiconductors, engineering goods, aerospace and pharmaceuticals, the AISATS BLR Logistics Park is well-positioned to play a critical role in supporting the region’s evolving supply chain and logistics requirements. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) recorded a 2.5% Year-on-Year (YoY) increase in cargo throughput to 174,773 Metric Tonnes (MT) in September 2026, with combined airfreight and airmail volumes registering growth despite a decline in aircraft movements. However, aircraft movements at the German cargo hub fell 3.5% YoY to 40,539 take-offs and landings during the month. Accumulated Maximum Take-Off Weights (MTOWs) also contracted by 1.2% to approximately 2.5 MMT. The September cargo performance highlights continued growth in freight volumes even as overall aircraft activity declined, reflecting differing trends across cargo throughput and airport movements. The latest figures form part of Fraport’s monthly traffic report, which tracks cargo and operational performance at Frankfurt Airport alongside developments across its international airport portfolio.
FedEx has secured IATA CEIV Pharma certification for its Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa hub at Dubai World Central (DWC), UAE, strengthening its capabilities for handling pharmaceutical and other temperature-sensitive healthcare shipments. The certification follows a rigorous assessment against more than 280 criteria, covering operational processes, storage facilities, equipment, quality management systems and regulatory compliance. The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) CEIV Pharma programme is designed to assess and enhance capabilities for the safe and compliant handling of time- and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical cargo. Spread across 57,000 square metres, the FedEx DWC hub is equipped with advanced automation, high-speed security screening and dedicated dangerous goods handling facilities. It also features a 170-square-metre temperature-controlled storage area designed to support sensitive healthcare shipments. The certification further expands FedEx’s global healthcare logistics capabilities. The company reached 30 IATA CEIV Pharma certifications across its global air hubs and cargo handling facilities in August 2026, reinforcing its focus on consistent pharmaceutical handling standards across its international network. For the Indian Subcontinent, the DWC hub serves as an important gateway connecting regional businesses with FedEx’s wider global network. The certification comes as pharmaceutical and life sciences supply chains increasingly require reliable cold-chain infrastructure, stringent compliance and greater shipment visibility. FedEx is also using digital technologies to strengthen monitoring of healthcare shipments. Its AI-powered FedEx Surround monitoring and intervention solution, combined with FedEx SenseAware sensor technology, provides near real-time information on package location, temperature and environmental conditions. This enables proactive intervention when shipment conditions require attention. “Achieving the CEIV Pharma certification reflects our continued commitment to delivering healthcare logistics services that meet the highest international standards,” said Taarek Hinedi, Vice President Operations and Planning & Engineering, FedEx Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa. The DWC certification also supports the UAE’s ambitions to strengthen its position as a regional healthcare and life sciences hub, while providing pharmaceutical companies with additional access to specialised air cargo infrastructure and temperature-controlled logistics capabilities. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!