IATA introduces over 100 changes in its 2026 manuals

Impact on air cargo, ground operations, and multimodal logistics

IATA has released the 2026 editions of its key manuals for air cargo transport and ground operations, featuring around 100 updates and revisions. These changes cover everything from dangerous goods and lithium batteries to live animal shipments and ground handling management — all reflecting the global logistics industry’s ongoing push for greater safety, efficiency, and standardization.

In the maritime-logistics context, these updates are also highly relevant, as air and sea freight operations — along with transshipment and multimodal transport — are increasingly interconnected.

Key Updates

1. Dangerous Goods and Lithium Batteries

One of the main focuses of the 2026 update is the growing complexity of shipping lithium batteries by air, driven by a 25% annual increase in this segment.

Among the most notable changes:

The Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) now include official nomenclature for hybrid-propulsion vehicles.
New recommendations for the use of power banks and spare batteries in cabin baggage.
Updates to national variations for countries such as Thailand, France, and the United Kingdom.
Standardization of 290 operational variation texts.
The Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR) introduce stricter load limits for lithium-ion batteries packed with equipment and a new compliance checklist for shippers.

For maritime and multimodal logistics professionals, these adjustments highlight the need to review supply chains that combine sea and air transport — for instance, lithium batteries shipped by sea and then transferred to air — as well as packaging, traceability, and documentation standards.

2. Live Animal Transport

The Live Animals Regulations (LAR) also underwent extensive revision, emphasizing animal welfare and operational guarantees.

Key updates include:

New competency-based training for personnel responsible for animal care during transport.
Inclusion of Brazil as a country officially adopting the LAR manual starting in 2025.
New specifications for container materials and ventilation.
Updated handling guidelines for specific species, such as poultry, pangolins, hooded raptors, and birds of prey.

For maritime logistics involving combined transport or ports handling both air and sea animal shipments, these standards call for reviewing transfer processes, container specifications, compliance documentation, and coordination between transport modes.

3. Ground Operations and Passenger/Baggage Handling

The IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM) introduces key improvements focused on operational efficiency and ground safety:

New procedures for unaccompanied minors, disruptive or inadmissible passengers, and those with medical needs.
Updated baggage-traceability guidelines aligned with IATA Resolution 753.
Revised potable water handling procedures on board.
A comprehensive review of aircraft turnaround processes.

From a maritime-logistics standpoint, these updates have indirect but important implications: when air freight connects with land or sea transport within larger supply chains, standardized ground processes ensure smoother flows and better synchronization between modes.

4. Digitalization and Compliance Tools

Beyond content updates, IATA also expanded its digital compliance infrastructure:

Launch of the LAR Verify online portal for live animal transport regulations.
A digital database for dangerous goods and an enhanced battery classification tool, now including sodium-ion batteries.

For logistics players, this means regulatory compliance increasingly demands digital skills, system integration, and continuous updates to verification tools.

Why This Matters for Maritime and Multimodal Logistics

Although IATA manuals focus on air transport and ground handling, their implications for maritime and multimodal logistics are significant:

Many shipments that begin by sea end up in air transport or combine modes — understanding air requirements prevents delays, rejections, or fines.

Packaging, labeling, documentation, and traceability for batteries, dangerous goods, or live animals often start at sea and continue by air or land. Air standards influence the entire chain.

Harmonized ground procedures, digitalization, and traceability improve efficiency across ports, terminals, logistics hubs, and intermodal connections.

For Latin American freight forwarders, customs agents, and multimodal operators, anticipating these changes enhances competitiveness, reduces operational risk, and ensures readiness for international audits and requirements.

Ferry STAR LINES atracado en muelle costero con barcos pequeños y montañas al fondo.

Recommendations for Companies in Colombia and Latin America

Review handling, packaging, documentation, and transport procedures for batteries, hybrid vehicles, and dangerous goods to ensure compliance with both IATA and local standards.

For live animal or special cargo shipments, update container selection criteria, animal welfare documentation, and staff training.

Strengthen coordination between sea and air transport, including transfer protocols, transit conditions, and traceability records.

Adopt digital tools that support compliance verification, shipment checklists, and operational variation control.

Conduct training sessions for operations, customs, traffic, and logistics personnel to integrate the 2026 IATA manual updates into daily practices.

Conclusion

The update of IATA’s 2026 manuals represents a leap in terms of safety, efficiency, digitalization, and regulatory synchronization for the global logistics chain. For those working in international freight, customs, and multimodal logistics — including the maritime sector — these changes should not be interpreted as “only for air transport,” but rather as a clear sign that integration between transport modes demands increasingly higher standards
Adopting these new guidelines can make the difference in competitiveness, compliance, and service. It is a good time to review internal policies, train teams, and optimize processes from start to finish.

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