April 27, (THEWILL) – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched “Connect API”, which has been developed to automate the cross-referencing of shippers’ declarations of cargo items classified as “Dangerous Goods”, against the Dangerous Goods Regulations.
This is just as the International body announced that dnata has become the first company to adopt ‘Connect API’, the newest feature of IATA’s DG AutoCheck.
Until now, the cross-referencing of shippers’ declarations against the airline industry and national regulations has been done manually.
The new process is, therefore, intended to eliminate the scope for unintentional and deliberate incorrect packing and loading of items which may require specific handling when transported as air cargo.
Similarly, it is part of a broader industry-wide initiative to combat false declarations of shipments, which could pose threats to aviation safety and security.
According to IATA, ‘Connect API’ will help in the digitalisation of the air cargo industry by automating the transfer of data from DG AutoCheck to other systems in the industry’s value chain. This connectivity has been enabled via IBS Software’s iCargo solution, which is currently being implemented across Dnata’s global network.
Connect API can also be used flexibly in line with user priorities. Dnata, for example, plans to use Connect API to link its warehouse management system (iCargo) to DG AutoCheck to automate the creation of notifications to the captain (NOTOC). Other potential applications include linking DG AutoCheck to operational or accounting systems and cargo management systems (CMS).
Commenting, Frederic Leger, IATA’s Senior Vice President, Commercial Products and Services, said, “Efficiently exchanging data with Connect API will help deliver the speed, quality, compliance and ultimately safety benefits of digitalisation that air cargo customers are demanding. These benefits are real and measurable. Today it can take up to 100 minutes to get flight crew of freighter operations, detailed information on dangerous goods in the payload through NOTOC systems. With Connect API, this will be instantaneous. We are proud to launch Connect API with Dnata, bringing benefits to their customers.
“We are delighted to deliver this innovation to our customers. Connecting iCargo to DG AutoCheck through Connect API will accelerate dangerous goods acceptance checks while enabling the highest level of safety, compliance, and efficiency throughout the handling process. In addition, we will be able to further optimise our operations through the data by our systems working more efficiently together”, said Guillaume Crozier, Dnata’s SVP, UAE, Cargo and Global Cargo Strategy.
“The seamless integration of DG AutoCheck with iCargo will help deliver significant benefits for dnata. It also paves the way to build confidence across the industry of what can be achieved through the real-time availability of operational information on dangerous goods and how that can be used to drive operational efficiencies”, said Ashok Rajan, SVP and Global Head of Cargo & Logistics, IBS Software.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
