The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released the 2027 editions of its key cargo and ground operations manuals, introducing a series of regulatory, operational and technological updates for the global aviation industry. The revisions are intended to bring industry guidance into line with changing international standards while addressing emerging requirements involving batteries, dangerous goods, live-animal transportation, airport handling and increasingly automated ground operations.
The updated manuals cover several areas that are critical to the safe movement of passengers, cargo and other goods through the international air transport system. IATA said the revisions reflect developments in technology, regulation and customer requirements, while its updated digital tools are designed to connect the organization’s standards more closely with the operational processes used by airlines, airports and other aviation stakeholders.
New Requirements Strengthen Dangerous Goods And Battery Handling
Among the major changes are revisions to the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), including clearer guidance on packaging requirements and updated rules covering spare batteries and power banks. The 2027 edition also introduces requirements concerning lithium battery-powered mobility aids, including new obligations for operators handling devices with batteries exceeding 300 watt-hours.
The regulations also include updates to State and Operator Variations, with new variations introduced by 17 states. These changes are intended to provide airlines and other aviation operators with updated information on national and operator-specific requirements when transporting dangerous goods, an area where accurate compliance is particularly important because improperly handled materials can create significant safety risks during air transportation.
Battery And Live Animal Transport Rules Also Updated
IATA has introduced further revisions through its Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR), including provisions for hybrid batteries containing both lithium-ion and sodium-ion cells. The updated guidance also changes packing instructions for certain sodium-ion and prototype batteries and clarifies which shipments are excluded from the existing four cell/two attery limit applicable to certain battery consignments.
The Live Animals Regulations (LAR) have also been revised for the 2027 edition. Changes include the addition of specific pathogen-free laboratory animals to the species listings, standardized terminology and metric measurements for container requirements, and updated procedures for cleaning and disinfecting aircraft cargo compartments. A Portuguese-language version of the regulations is also now available following Brazil’s adoption of the LAR.
Airport Handling Gains New Biometric And Automation Guidance
The updated Airport Handling Manual (AHM) introduces new guidance covering biometric handling as part of contactless travel. The guidance addresses processes at biometric touchpoints as well as privacy and ethical considerations, reflecting the aviation industry’s broader move toward more digital and contactless passenger processing systems.
The manual also contains expanded provisions concerning autonomous ground service equipment operating near aircraft. Such equipment is becoming increasingly relevant as airports and airlines explore automation to improve operational efficiency, but its use around aircraft requires clear procedures to manage safety and coordination between automated systems and existing ground operations.
IATA Expands Digital Tools To Support Aviation Operations
Alongside the regulatory updates, IATA is expanding the digital tools associated with its manuals, with increasing use of artificial intelligence and automated processes. The organization said these tools are intended to make its standards more directly usable within operational systems and decision-making processes as aviation becomes increasingly connected and data-driven.
The updated digital portfolio includes LAR Verify, which provides automated compliance verification for live-animal shipments; e-Battery Shipping Regulations, which introduces interactive classification scenarios; and DG Digital, a module of DG Autocheck designed to create and manage Shipper’s Declarations for Dangerous Goods. IATA has also enhanced the digital version of DGR and updated Digital Load Verification (DLV), which the association says can reduce loading errors by more than 80% and loading-related delays by up to 30%.
IATA Senior Vice President of Products and Services Frederic Leger said the 2027 revisions reflect developments in technology, regulation and customer needs, with greater emphasis on integrating aviation standards into the operational processes that support cargo and ground activities. IATA represents more than 370 airlines, accounting for approximately 85% of global air traffic, making its operational manuals widely relevant across the international aviation industry.
