IATA launches EPIC programme to enhance air cargo digitalisation

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) today announced the launch of the IATA Enhanced Partner Identification and Connectivity (EPIC) platform that aims to support the digitalisation of the global air cargo supply chain. 

IATA said the EPIC initiative “simplifies the complex process of making digital connections across the air cargo value chain, including enabling the efficient exchange of critical information such as messaging capabilities and identities”.

The airline association added: “As the air cargo industry continues to digitalise, airlines, freight forwarders, ground handlers and customs authorities need to be able to securely work together digitally. This is a considerable challenge as today more than 40,000 freight forwarders exchange messages with more than 450 airlines, and 23 third party messaging service providers. 

“In the absence of a tool for companies to exchange the information needed to make these business links, the process of digitisation is essentially manual, slow and unduly complex.”

Nick Careen, IATA senior vice president of Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security, commented: “EPIC is a simple idea. It makes the information needed to do business across a digitised air cargo supply chain easily accessible. And in doing so, it will accelerate efficiency gains for air cargo. 

“The timing of this initiative is important. COVID-19 has led to exponential growth of e-commerce and shippers are demanding quality services that only a digitized supply chain can provide.”

In addition to supporting business-to-business processes, IATA said the participation of customs organisations in EPIC also supports digital customs clearance processes. “In particular this will help the efficient roll out of Advance Cargo Information (ACI) requirements, including Preloading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI) programmes,” the association added.

IATA stressed that when using EPIC, individual companies retain full control of their data with the flexibility to manage how they connect with respective business partners. It said EPIC is open for use by airlines – IATA members and non-members – freight forwarders, and any third party, intermediary or IT provider in the air cargo business.

The association said EPIC had already attracted the participation of 32 airlines, 900 freight forwarder branches, 10 governments/customs authorities, five international organisations and 13 third-party messaging providers.

More information on EPIC can be found here.