A new survey conducted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) indicates strong and growing momentum behind ONE Record, highlighting “significant levels of awareness and readiness” across the air cargo industry as the standard prepares to become the preferred framework for cargo data exchange among IATA member airlines from January 1.
According to the survey findings, 70% of respondents reported awareness of the ONE Record standard, while 50% indicated they are ready to adopt it. The results suggest that the industry is moving decisively toward a common digital approach to data sharing, marking a major step in the modernisation of air cargo processes.
ONE Record is designed to provide a single, standardised digital language for air cargo, enabling seamless and secure data exchange between all stakeholders in the supply chain, including airlines, freight forwarders, ground handlers, shippers, customs authorities and IT providers. By replacing fragmented, document-heavy workflows, the standard aims to improve transparency, collaboration and operational efficiency across the industry.
Commenting on the survey results, IATA’s global head of cargo, Brendan Sullivan, said the message from the market is clear. He noted that industry stakeholders are actively transitioning toward ONE Record as their preferred data-sharing standard and are looking to IATA for increased support as adoption gathers pace.
In response, IATA plans to expand opportunities for industry participation in ONE Record pilot projects and to strengthen its adoption guidance in the months ahead. The association also intends to work closely with regulators and IT service providers to ensure alignment across the ecosystem, a critical factor in enabling ONE Record to deliver its full potential in modernising air cargo operations and creating greater value for customers.
IATA emphasised that ONE Record will support enhanced end-to-end visibility and collaboration, significantly reduce manual data handling and provide a modern data foundation capable of supporting future innovations. These include greater automation, real-time data exchange and long-term digital scalability to meet evolving market and regulatory demands.
Momentum behind the standard is already building. More than 30 pilot projects are currently underway, covering a wide range of use cases such as electronic air waybill (e-AWB) submission, shipment tracking, customs status updates, digital booking exchanges, real-time booking pre-advice, automation of shipment records and piece-level export processing.
Survey respondents highlighted several factors that would help accelerate adoption, including the expansion of pilot programmes and live demonstrations, greater access to peer examples and shared learnings, and regular communication and practical guidance on implementation.
Addressing these needs, IATA said it will continue to support industry adoption by scaling up pilot initiatives, offering training programmes, webinars and certification opportunities, and sharing best practices and real-world implementation examples. Engagement with regulators and technology providers will also remain a priority to help ensure consistent and coordinated adoption across markets.
“ONE Record is helping the industry move beyond fragmented, paper-based processes toward a fully digital and connected way of working,” Sullivan said. “With more than 30 pilots already underway—from e-AWB automation to real-time tracking and booking exchanges—we are seeing tangible benefits in transparency and efficiency, laying the groundwork for the future of air cargo.”
As the preferred data exchange standard comes into force, the survey results underscore a pivotal shift for the air cargo sector, with ONE Record positioned as a cornerstone of the industry’s digital transformation.
