IATA updates Cargo and Ground Operations Manuals.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released the updated 2026 editions of key industry manuals for cargo and ground operations, which incorporate close to 100 major changes and revisions to align with evolving global standards.

The main changes to the 2026 manuals, which have been incorporated are:

• Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) – Airlines, freight forwarders, ground handlers and shippers rely on the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) every day to make sure dangerous goods are transported safely and efficiently. The DGR helps in classifying, marking, packing, labelling and documenting dangerous shipments and hazardous materials in compliance with air transport regulations.

What’s inside the DGR?

• Applicability: shipper and operator responsibilities, training, security, incident reporting;

• Limitations: forbidden and hidden goods, storage and transport quantities, transport by post, transport by passengers/crew;

• Classification: explosives, gases, flammable, toxic, oxidizing, radioactive and corrosive and multiple hazard material;

• Packing Instructions: explosives, gases, flammable, toxic, infectious, oxidizing, radioactive and corrosive and multiple hazard material;

• Packaging Specifications: inner, UN, construction and testing, limited quantity;

• Documentation: – shipper’s declaration, air waybill;

• Handling: storage, loading, inspection, information provision, reporting, training, document retention;

• Radioactive material: transport, limitations, classification, identification, packing, testing, labelling, documentation, handling.

• Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR) – A manual with all the information manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, freight forwarders and others in the supply chain need to ensure compliance when shipping batteries. Making a mistake with marking, labelling or packaging products with batteries can at best cause delays. At worst, the battery could fail or short circuit causing a fire. The BSR covers all aspects of the shipping process from packaging requirements, labelling, marking and what to do if something goes wrong en route.

What inside the BSR?

• Applicability: definitions, shipper responsibilities, caution, training, dangerous good security;

• Regulations: international legislation, dangerous goods carried by passengers, variations by state and operator, UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, subsection 38.3;

• Classification: UN Numbers, Class 9 substances, classification scenarios, testing;

• Identification: list of dangerous goods, special provisions;

• Packing: combination packaging, quantity limits, UN specifications, overpacks, instructions;

• UN specification packaging performance tests: test frequency, drop test, stacking test, reports, suppliers;

• Marking and labelling: marks, specifications, shipper’s responsibilities;

• Documentation: declaration form instructions and examples, waybills;

• Acceptance: checklists, refusals;

• Emergency response.

Battery-related updates dominate the DGR and BSR for 2026. The number of lithium batteries air shipped as cargo have surged 25% year-on-year. At the same time, the industry has seen several incidents involving overheating power banks on aircraft, contributing to the need for revised regulations around the shipment of lithium batteries.

The past year has also seen the emergence of new hybrid battery chemistries, particularly those used in hybrid vehicles, requiring updated shipping requirements.

The key changes to the 2026 DGR include:

• The introduction of formalised shipping names for hybrid-powered vehicles;
• Recommendations on the use of power banks and spare batteries by passengers in the cabin;
• Updated variations for Thailand, France and United Kingdom;
• Standardised text for 290 existing operator variations;
• Additional guidance regarding safety data sheets required for certain dangerous goods;
• The inclusion of Appendix H, which sets out a number of changes expected in 2027.

The key changes to the 2026 BSR include:

• Stricter charge limits for lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment;
• New shipper compliance checklist for battery shipments;
• Additional Designated Postal Operators that may accept equipment containing lithium batteries.

Live Animals Regulations (LAR) –

IATA’s LAR has been significantly updated to further improve animal welfare. IATA data shows that more than 200,000 non-domestic animal shipments were made in 20241, highlighting a need to maintain high standards of care. There have been major changes to container requirements and guidance on training for attendants handling animals during transit.

The key changes include:

• Guidelines for attendants on providing appropriate and safe care during transit, including standardised Competency-Based Training Assessment recommendations;
• Inclusion of Brazil, which in 2025 officially adopted the LAR;
• New material and ventilation specifications for animal containers;
• Updated guidelines for poultry, pangolins, hooded raptors and birds of prey

IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) –

The 2026 IGOM focuses on improvements to operational efficiency and safety across passenger, baggage, and aircraft handling operations, with a particular focus on passengers that require special support.

The key changes include:

• New guidelines for unaccompanied minors, unruly passengers, inadmissible passengers and those needing medical assistance;
• Baggage tracking guidelines aligned with IATA Resolution 753;
• Updated procedures to address preparation, collection and transportation of potable water;
• Revised aircraft turnaround procedures.

Digital Tools –

Several new digital enhancements to the manuals make it easier for cargo professionals to quickly access information. These include:

• Launch of IATA’s online portal LAR Verify, enabling airlines, shippers and freight forwarders to digitally access the LAR while providing an automated compliance solution;
• A comprehensive list of dangerous goods in digital format;
• An improved battery classification tool which now includes sodium-ion batteries.

“Global standards have made flying safe and reliable. For eight decades, IATA’s member airlines have worked with the industry value chain, including regulators, on standard setting and best practices critical to daily operations. This year’s IATA manuals updates reflect advancements in technology, digitalisation, regulation, and customer needs that are critical for safer, more efficient, and increasingly sustainable operations”, said Frederic Leger, IATA’s Senior Vice President of Products and Services.

Team Maverick