Frankfurt Airport
Singapore Changi Airport and Frankfurt Airport have joined Cargo iQ as strategic members, marking a significant expansion of the quality standards group’s reach across the global air cargo network. The announcement was made during the International Air Transport Association (IATA) World Cargo Symposium (WCS) 2026 in Lima, Peru.
Marie Seco-Köppen, executive director of Cargo iQ, confirmed that both airports will collaborate with the organisation to develop tailored implementation pathways, defining the value propositions and operational requirements of their membership.
“Airports play a key role in the air cargo supply chain, and their inclusion in the Cargo iQ framework will strengthen collaboration across all member types,” Seco-Köppen said. “The leadership and operational perspective provided by these airports will be instrumental in advancing industry quality standards and improving the efficiency of cargo handling.”
Cargo iQ’s Expanding Role
Founded by airlines and freight forwarders to improve supply chain reliability, Cargo iQ is a not-for-profit organisation that develops and implements standards aimed at enhancing customer service within the air cargo sector. The group now has more than 60 members, spanning airlines, forwarders, ground handlers, IT solution providers, and road feeder services.
Rutger-Jan Pegels, vice chair of Cargo iQ and director of performance management at KLM, noted that integrating airports into the framework will provide insights across both airside and landside operations, including congestion management. “Integrating airports into Cargo iQ will support standardisation and quality development for all stakeholders while fostering a local cargo community approach,” he said.
Once the airports’ formal value propositions are defined in the coming months, they will become implementable members within Cargo iQ’s framework. This will allow them to contribute to the Master Operating Plan (MOP) and align with Cargo iQ performance definitions.
Freight Hubs Continue Growth
Singapore Changi Airport, a key transhipment hub in Asia, recorded air cargo volumes of 2.1 million tonnes in 2025, representing a 4.5% year-on-year increase. The airport cited frontloading and the return of dedicated freighter services as key drivers of what it described as one of its “best cargo performances” in history.
Meanwhile, Frankfurt Airport handled 1.99 million tonnes of cargo in 2025, up 2% from the previous year. Fraport, the airport operator, reported a steady upward trend in cargo volumes throughout the year, highlighting the airport’s ongoing role as a central European freight hub.
The addition of these major airports to Cargo iQ underscores the growing emphasis on collaboration, standardisation, and operational excellence across the global air cargo industry.
