Vitaly Smilianets (left), Awery Aviation Software, and Frederic Leger, IATA. Image:
Awery Aviation Software has become the first digital platform to integrate the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) CO2 Connect for Cargo emissions calculation tool, a move designed to enhance transparency and sustainability in air cargo operations. The announcement was made on March 11 during the IATA World Cargo Symposium (WCS) 2026, held from March 10 to 12 in Lima, Peru.
CO2 Connect for Cargo provides the air cargo industry with standardised, operationally accurate emissions data. Awery has embedded the tool into its enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform, enabling users to access precise, flight-specific carbon dioxide emissions data directly within their existing workflows.
Launched earlier this year, CO2 Connect for Cargo utilises operational data supplied by airlines—including aircraft type-specific fuel burn, cargo load factors, and passenger load factors—to calculate per-shipment emissions. By February 2026, more than 100 airlines, including dedicated cargo carriers, were contributing primary operational data to the platform.
Industry First: Real-Time Operational Emissions
Vitaly Smilianets, Awery’s founder and chief executive, said, “Integrating CO2 Connect for Cargo into the Awery ERP platform equips our customers with trusted, standardised emissions data directly within the systems they use every day. Providing emissions data that reflects real operational performance is something the industry has needed for a long time, and we are proud to be the first platform to deliver this capability.”
Frederic Leger, IATA’s senior vice president of product and services, added, “With the introduction of IATA CO2 Connect for Cargo, we can now provide per-shipment emissions data and support the expectations for greater transparency as airlines progress towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050.” He noted that CO2 Connect remains the only carbon calculator for air travel based on operational data from more than 100 airlines and aligned with global standards such as ISO14083.
Development and Collaboration
Awery was among the technology providers, forwarders, and shippers that participated in the pilot phase of CO2 Connect for Cargo, offering feedback to refine the platform. The company has also been a long-term advocate of IATA’s ONE Record data standard, promoting interoperability, improved data quality, and transparency across air cargo.
Phaedra den Hertog, Awery’s chief experience officer, is contributing to WCS panels, including ‘From Data Silos to Insights: Leveraging Environmental Data for Smarter Decisions,’ highlighting how integrated emissions data can inform operational and sustainability decisions.
Technology and Industry Transformation
Technology continues to dominate discussions at WCS 2026, themed ‘Advancing Air Cargo in a Dynamic World,’ reflecting the impact of digitalisation, shifting geopolitics, and new regulations. Industry stakeholders are exploring how digital solutions—including artificial intelligence—can streamline operations, improve cargo visibility, and advance sustainability objectives across the air cargo supply chain.
