• A new framework for air cargo service has been developed by Cargo iQ and the European Shippers’ Council, bringing shippers into the process to align expectations and common principles.
• Both organisations have affirmed they will continue work to ensure existing standards address different commodity needs, incorporating initiatives such as ONE Record and care protocols to improve the shipper experience.
• This news comes a week after Smit addressed the North Sea–Rhine–Mediterranean Corridor Conference, to highlight the growing importance of reliability, flexibility, and cross-border cooperation in European logistics, most notably referencing the importance of flexible transport options. 

Cargo iQ (CiQ), the IATA interest group invloved with the development of global quality standards and performance management monitoring for global air cargo, has announced the development of a new framework working with the European Shippers’ Council (ESC), to measure ‘door-to-door’ air cargo service.

“Involving shippers more closely in Cargo iQ was long overdue. It is essential to align on expectations and agree on common principles to ensure our performance standard evolves to become valuable for a broader audience”, said Marie Seco-Köppen, Executive Director of Cargo iQ.

The outline of the new framework was agreed last week after over a year of reported collaboration between CiQ and the ESC.

Both organisations have affirmed they will continue work to ensure existing standards address different commodity needs, incorporating initiatives such as ONE Record and care protocols to improve the shipper experience.

“This workshop marks an important step towards strengthening collaboration across the air cargo ecosystem, bringing together carriers, freight forwarders, ground handlers, and shippers,” said Godfried Smit, Secretary General, European Shippers’ Council.

“In today’s highly dynamic air freight market, ensuring that goods reach their destinations efficiently and cost-effectively is essential. Supply chain visibility is a critical enabler of that ambition. The Cargo iQ initiative plays a key role in establishing a strong benchmark for transparency, efficiency, and seamless collaboration across the industry. By building on the momentum of this workshop and turning our shared commitment into lasting cooperation, we can create a powerful, collaborative model that delivers sustainable value and a competitive advantage for all stakeholders.”

This news comes a week after Smit addressed the North Sea–Rhine–Mediterranean Corridor Conference, to highlight the growing importance of reliability, flexibility, and cross-border cooperation in European logistics, most notably referencing the importance of flexible transport options.

The next steops will include CiQ putting the framework to its membership and wider audience for review during the next few months, with the eventual goal being to integrate this into its ‘Master Operating Plan’ for high quality air cargo provision.

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