• Aircraft Unit Load Devices (ULDs) — containers or pallet-and-net systems — are essential for safely securing cargo, mail, and baggage in air transport. In use since the 1950s, ULDs are now a leading source of ground damage, costing the industry around USD 400 million annually.
• To address this, IATA developed the Unit Load Device Regulations (ULDR) — a comprehensive manual covering all technical, operational, and regulatory aspects of ULDs. The ULDR standardises requirements for manufacturing, repair, handling, and safety, aiming to reduce incidents and streamline compliance across the supply chain.

An aircraft Unit Load Device (ULD) is either an aircraft container or a combination of an aircraft pallet and an aircraft pallet net for grouping and restraining cargo, mail and baggage for air transport. Since the 1950s, they’ve been used to safely transport goods by air. However, year after year, ULDs are often a leading cause of aircraft damage on the ground and also costs the industry about USD 400 million annually for the repair and loss.

Incompatibility between pallets and nets, outdated training, and poor handling standards continue to undermine air cargo safety, contributing to USD 400 million in ULD-related ground damage and losses every year. To tackle this, IATA has released the 2026 edition of its Unit Load Device Regulations (ULDR) – featuring technical updates across several sections of the manual.

“Several updates have been made across the ULD regulations,” said Zhi Yong Liao, Senior Manager Cargo Safety and ULDs at IATA, in a video announcing the new edition. The updates are designed to support standard ULD operations for the new Airbus A350 freighter main deck, and to ensure safer, more consistent practices across the industry.

Key updates from the 2026 ULDR
According to Liao, the new edition includes:

New aircraft contour and ULD type code: “Updated aircraft contour information has been added to Section 2,” he explained. “A new aircraft container contour code W, forming the new ULD type code AMW, has been introduced to Section 4.”

Compatibility guidance improvements: “The maximum allowable contour details for Code W, along with aircraft compatibility information, have been included in Section 5,” said Liao. “Recognising that using incompatible pallets and nets violates safety requirements, we’ve enhanced the standard specification 50/5… to improve clarity and usability.”

Engine carriage standards updated: “Section 6 will feature an update to Operating Specification 6/12 — Aircraft Engine Carriage — aligning it with the ICAO TI Appendix L,” he confirmed.

Training and assessment overhaul: “Following the successful adoption of this competency-based training and assessment approach two years ago,” Liao said, “the 2026 edition introduces a new matrix template focused on the ULD build-up function.”

New sustainability guidance: “In support of IATA cargo sustainability initiatives, a new Appendix J will be introduced, offering guidance on conducting Life Cycle Assessments for ULDs.”

These changes are designed to bring clarity and structure to ULD operations in a complex, high-stakes environment. With increasing fleet diversity, evolving cargo types, and mounting regulatory pressures, the 2026 ULDR offers a clearer framework for compliance.

“Ensure your compliance and safety — order your 2026 IATA ULDR today,” Liao concluded.

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