IATA Cargo iQ gains ground

Menzies Aviation has become the newest member of IATA’s Cargo iQ initiative, which seeks to create and implement global quality standards for air cargo.
“We have recently launched our new cargo strategy across our network and joining Cargo iQ is an integral part of our drive for excellence and a standardised approach to our customers’ expectations,” said Robert Fordree, vice president –  cargo development at Menzies Aviation.
Qatar Airways Cargo and freight forwarder Kuehne + Nagel also received their continuing Cargo iQ accreditation under the scheme’s new independent auditors SGS yesterday at the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Dallas, Texas.
Kuehne + Nagel received two certifications: one for its forwarding services and one for its internal IT platform for Cargo iQ, the Cargo iQ Data Management Platform (CDMP).
Cargo iQ’s new audit programme is part of a series of initiatives aimed at improving the value Cargo iQ delivers to its members, and to the global air cargo community.
“The response of our members and the industry to our new external audit has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Ariaen Zimmerman, executive director, Cargo iQ.
“In an industry which can fall into a cycle of being inward-facing, the value of external validation on our processes and procedures is clear. Each and every one of our members has the opportunity to improve their operations through this,” he added.
Guillaume Halleux, Qatar Airways acting chief officer cargo, pointed out: “Air cargo is such an interconnected industry that no success is possible without a consistent and coherent collaboration by all parties in the logistics chain.”
In September 2017, the Cargo iQ interest group launched an Air Cargo Intelligence Hub, through which Cargo iQ members are able to view combined performance data of other members and benchmark themselves against the Cargo iQ community.