Air cargo is heading for a digital overhaul. IATA is putting artificial intelligence, real-time data exchange and the problem of undeclared lithium batteries at the center of the industry agenda — areas that increasingly determine the reliability and safety of deliveries, DKNews.kz reports.
The International Air Transport Association will hold the 2026 Cargo Experts Conference (CEC) in Budapest on 23–24 September. Its practical program is divided into three tracks: Digital Cargo, Safety & Security, and Pharma & Operations.
AI is moving from experiments into daily cargo operations
The conference will be held under the theme “From Expertise to Execution.”
In the digital track, IATA plans to focus not on abstract technology trends, but on how new tools can be used in everyday air cargo operations.
The program includes APIs, artificial intelligence and automation, while broader adoption of the ONE Record standard will be one of the key topics.
The goal is to move away from fragmented messaging and toward a more integrated approach to cargo data, giving participants across the logistics chain access to relevant and up-to-date shipment information.
For businesses, the impact is practical: better data quality, improved shipment visibility, greater interoperability between IT systems and faster decision-making.
Undeclared lithium batteries are becoming a separate safety risk
The second major track is safety and security.
IATA is drawing particular attention to the growing issue of undeclared lithium batteries in cargo. For airlines, this is a sensitive risk because dangerous goods require specific handling procedures and strict controls.
The conference will address the safe handling of dangerous goods, emerging security risks, risk assessment and stronger oversight throughout the cargo chain.
Digitalization also plays a role here. The more complete the information available to an airline, airport or cargo operator, the better the chances of identifying a potentially dangerous shipment before it reaches the aircraft.
Pharmaceutical cargo requires continuous temperature control
A separate track will focus on pharmaceutical logistics and ground operations.
For such shipments, simply delivering the cargo from one airport to another on time is not enough. Maintaining the required conditions throughout the entire journey is critical.
IATA is emphasizing the cold chain, real-time data and more precise compliance procedures for pharmaceutical shipments.
The operational risk is clear: if the required temperature is breached at any point along the route, on-time arrival alone cannot guarantee that the product remains usable.
Reliability is becoming the core product of air cargo
Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo, linked the conference agenda directly to the day-to-day realities of the industry.
“CEC brings cargo experts together to share what works, tackle common challenges, and take away tangible ideas they can apply in their own organizations. The focus is on operations. For a business whose customers literally depend on reliable delivery each and every day, effective operations are essential to success,” said Brendan Sullivan.
This focus comes as the cargo market continues to expand. According to IATA, global air cargo demand rose 8.5% year on year in June 2026, while capacity increased by 4.4%.
When demand grows faster than available capacity, the cost of operational errors also rises.
Geography alone is not enough for Kazakhstan
For Kazakhstan, this agenda has direct logistical relevance.
The country is seeking a stronger role in air cargo flows between Europe and Asia. But geographic location alone does not create a competitive aviation hub.
That requires standardized processes, digital data exchange, reliable ground handling and the ability to manage specialized categories of cargo.
In an earlier interview with our newsroom, Brendan Sullivan assessed Kazakhstan’s chances of becoming a Eurasian air logistics hub. IATA’s new conference agenda makes the competitive criteria clearer: the race is no longer only about routes and cargo volumes, but also about data speed, operational safety and the ability to guarantee cargo integrity throughout the entire journey.
