IATA Revises 2025 Manuals with Over 350 Updates

IATA has released the 2025 editions of its key industry manuals, incorporating over 350 updates to reflect evolving regulations and industry standards. These changes impact cargo and ground handling operations, focusing on areas such as dangerous goods transport, battery shipping, live animal transportation, airport handling, and compassionate transportation.

The Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) manual now includes 10 new classifications, such as sodium-ion batteries and fire suppressant dispersing devices. Additionally, it introduces three new categories for battery-powered vehicles based on battery type. A new safety measure has also been introduced, requiring batteries to be shipped at a specified "State of Charge" level to mitigate risks.

The Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR), previously known as the Lithium Battery Shipping Regulations, has expanded its scope to include additional battery types, such as sodium-ion batteries with organic electrolytes, wet spillable batteries filled with acid or alkali, and non-spillable batteries.

The Live Animals Regulations (LAR) manual has been updated with revised references to species databases maintained by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Specifications for transport containers have also been revised to enhance animal welfare.

Updates to the Airport Handling Manual (AHM) include changes related to contactless travel, digitalized travel documentation, and policies for handling unruly passengers. The manual also incorporates sustainability guidelines through the IATA Environmental Assessment (IEnvA) and updates to the IATA Training Passport, which helps recognize the skills of ground handling professionals.

The Compassionate Transportation Manual (CTM) introduces new best practices and checklists for the repatriation of human and pet remains by air. It also adds references to IATA Cargo iQ and ONE Record to improve tracking and efficiency in specialized cargo logistics.

In addition to these manual updates, IATA has enhanced its ONE Source platform, offering industry stakeholders free access to verify aviation capabilities and infrastructure, including temperature-controlled storage and specialized handling facilities.

The revised manuals are aligned with standards set by regulatory bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and are available in both digital and print formats.