"Updated manuals introduce new requirements for batteries, dangerous goods, live animals and ground operations, alongside a growing suite of AI-enabled digital tools"
Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released the 2027 editions of several key industry manuals covering air cargo and ground operations, introducing significant regulatory, operational and technological updates aimed at strengthening safety, compliance and efficiency across the aviation supply chain.
The latest revisions to the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR), Live Animals Regulations (LAR), and Airport Handling Manual (AHM) reflect the rapidly changing operating environment facing airlines, cargo carriers, ground handlers and other aviation stakeholders.
At the same time, IATA is expanding its digital capabilities, with artificial intelligence (AI) expected to play an increasingly important role in integrating industry standards into real-time operational processes.
New Dangerous Goods Requirements
The 2027 Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) include a number of changes designed to provide greater clarity and address emerging safety considerations in the transportation of dangerous goods by air.
Among the most notable updates are revised guidance on packaging requirements, new restrictions and requirements covering spare batteries and power banks, and additional provisions for lithium battery-powered mobility aids.
The new edition also introduces additional obligations for operators handling mobility aids with batteries exceeding 300 Wh.
IATA has also updated its State and Operator Variations, with new variations introduced by 17 states, highlighting the need for industry stakeholders to remain up to date with country- and operator-specific requirements.
Battery Regulations Adapt to New Technologies
Battery transportation continues to be a major focus for the air cargo industry as new battery technologies enter the market.
The 2027 Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR) introduce provisions for hybrid batteries containing both lithium-ion and sodium-ion cells, while also revising packing instructions for sodium-ion and prototype batteries.
The regulations further clarify which shipments are excluded from the existing four-cell/two-battery limitation applicable to certain battery consignments.
Another important change requires the battery mark to be displayed on the same package surface as other applicable hazard labels, providing greater consistency in package identification and handling.
The changes come as the aviation industry adapts to the rapid development of battery technologies and the increasing importance of batteries across multiple sectors, including consumer electronics, mobility and electric transportation.
Updates Strengthen Live Animal Handling Standards
The 2027 Live Animals Regulations (LAR) bring further changes to the transportation and handling of live animals by air.
The revised edition expands species listings to include specific pathogen-free laboratory animals and introduces standardized terminology and metric measurements for container requirements.
IATA has also updated procedures relating to the cleaning and disinfection of aircraft cargo compartments, reinforcing hygiene and operational standards for live animal transportation.
In addition, a Portuguese-language version of the LAR is now available following Brazil's adoption of the regulations, further supporting their implementation across international markets.
Ground Operations Move Toward Greater Automation
The Airport Handling Manual (AHM) has also been revised to reflect the increasing use of automation, biometrics and autonomous technologies at airports.
New guidance addresses biometric handling within contactless travel, including processes at passenger and operational touchpoints as well as considerations related to privacy and ethical use.
The updated manual also includes advanced provisions for autonomous ground service equipment operating near aircraft, reflecting the industry's gradual shift toward automated ground handling environments.
As airports and airlines invest in automation, these developments are expected to become increasingly important in improving operational efficiency while maintaining safety around aircraft.
Digitalization Becomes Central to IATA Standards
Perhaps one of the most significant developments accompanying the 2027 manual revisions is IATA's continued move toward digital standards and intelligent operational tools.
IATA says its digital tools are increasingly being designed to connect its manuals directly with the industry processes they support. The use of AI and automation is expected to further enhance this integration, helping organizations apply regulatory requirements more efficiently in real-time operational environments.
Among the key digital solutions are:
- LAR Verify, which provides automated compliance verification for live animal shipments.
- e-Battery Shipping Regulations (e-BSR), featuring new interactive classification scenarios to help users determine applicable battery shipping requirements.
- DG Digital, a module of DG Autocheck that enables users to create and manage Shipper's Declarations for Dangerous Goods.
- Digital DGR, which includes enhanced navigation and improved access to dangerous goods information.
- Digital Load Verification (DLV), which supports verification of aircraft loading activities and has been shown to reduce loading errors by more than 80% and loading-related delays by up to 30%.
These tools represent a shift from traditional reference-based compliance toward digitally embedded standards, where regulatory and operational requirements can increasingly become part of the decision-making process itself.
AI Set to Accelerate Aviation's Digital Transformation
According to Frederic Leger, IATA's Senior Vice President of Products and Services, the latest revisions reflect the industry's changing regulatory, technological and customer requirements.
“Our 2027 manual revisions reflect advancements in technology, regulation, and customer needs. As our manuals are used in a more digitally connected environment, we are focusing on creating tools that integrate them into the critical processes and activities that underpin cargo and ground operations.”
He added that the development represents an important step toward safer and more efficient airline operations, with AI expected to further accelerate this transformation.
A More Connected Future for Air Cargo and Ground Operations
The 2027 IATA manual updates highlight a broader transformation taking place across the aviation industry.
From lithium- and sodium-ion batteries and live animal transportation to biometrics, autonomous ground equipment and AI-powered compliance tools, airlines and their service partners are operating in an increasingly complex and technology-driven environment.
By combining updated technical regulations with digital tools, IATA is seeking to make industry standards not only easier to access, but also more directly integrated into everyday operational decisions.
For airlines, cargo operators and ground handlers, the message is clear: compliance is becoming increasingly digital, while safety and operational efficiency remain at the center of the industry's transformation.
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