Source: TIACA

The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) announces the pioneering launch customers for the air cargo industry’s first multi-sector sustainability verification program.

Following the announcement of the launch of the BlueSky Program at the March Executive Summit, a successful pilot program was run with airline and ground handling companies.

The TIACA BlueSky program, open to the entire industry, not just TIACA members, is now ready to launch live operations with the first wave of participants representing organizations from the airline, airport, freight forwarder, ground handler and GSSA sectors.

The TIACA BlueSky launch participants:

  • Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
  • Astral Aviation
  • Brussels Airport
  • CHI (Cargo Handling International)
  • Edmonton International Airport
  • Etihad Cargo
  • Flexport
  • HACTL (Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited)
  • Strike Aviation
  • Swissport

“We are very pleased to see such strong launch support from some world class innovative organizations. This program will enable all participants to assess where they are on their sustainability transformation journey which will collectively demonstrate the leadership of the air cargo industry in tackling this important topic.” Steven Polmans, TIACA Chair

Phase 1 of the program is an evidence-based desktop verification process designed to assess the applicants’ progress against a number of critical sustainability criteria.

The 8 areas of assessment criteria include;

  • Decarbonization
  • Waste elimination
  • Biodiversity protection
  • Support for local economies and communities
  • Impact on society improvement (lives and well-being)
  • Efficiency and profitability (digitalization)
  • Employee engagement, retention and development
  • Partnership building

The assessment process is tailored to each industry sector to ensure peer assessments and progress tracking provide maximized value. Upon completion of the assessment by an independent organization the participants receive a personalized dashboard highlighting where they currently are against the assessed criteria.  A subsequent phase will include a full onsite audit option with an in-depth report describing areas of improvement.

“Sustainability is an increasingly important topic for businesses globally and as an industry which connects the world it is critical that we all have strategic plans in place to ensure our sustainability credentials are demonstrated in an evidenced and neutral fashion. The TIACA BlueSky program aims to provide that solution. We are excited to see the program launch and invite all industry stakeholders to take a look.”  Glyn Hughes, TIACA Director General.

The BlueSky Program is a tool that the entire air cargo industry can use to track their sustainability progress, benchmark against peers and accelerate the industry transformation.