By Eva Richardson | The Logistic News
April 11, 2025
Cargo iQ, the IATA-affiliated quality management initiative for the air cargo industry, is preparing to launch a new tiered certification program designed to raise operational standards and foster continuous improvement among its global membership. The initiative, announced this week, marks a pivotal evolution in how performance and progress are measured across the air cargo supply chain.
Set to begin its first assessments this summer, the three-tier system introduces a data-driven approach to certification, mapping member progress against Cargo iQ’s operational milestone framework. The tiers will serve as a benchmark of quality implementation, providing both new and legacy members with a clear roadmap for improvement.
From Compliance to Continuous Improvement
“The introduction of a tiered structure will allow our members to accurately map their quality progress, being able to identify areas that require further improvement,” said Kerstin Strauss, VP of Global Air Logistics Operations and Governance at Kuehne+Nagel and Chair of the Cargo iQ Board.
Each member will be assessed based on milestone tracking capability and the integration of continuous improvement practices. By layering performance expectations into tiers, Cargo iQ aims to eliminate the one-size-fits-all model of certification and replace it with a more granular, dynamic quality journey.
Lean Audits and Accountability Over Blame
The new model will also introduce Lean audits—a streamlined complement to the standard certification process—allowing members to upgrade their tier status outside the regular audit cycle.
“This is not just about checking boxes,” said R.J. Pegels, Director of Performance Management at AFKLM Cargo and Vice Chair of the Cargo iQ Board. “We’re raising the game across the ecosystem. Milestones like the FWB [Freight Waybill] apply to all stakeholders, which reflects our commitment to shared accountability, not finger-pointing.”
This philosophy is a cornerstone of Cargo iQ’s evolving role—from standard-setter to collaborative improvement partner—in a sector where timing, accuracy, and transparency are paramount.
A Strategic Tool for Engagement and Alignment
The tiered certification system is being introduced in tandem with Cargo iQ’s Member Journey Map initiative, a long-term engagement framework that has been gradually rolled out since autumn 2024 and is now being extended to all full members.
Together, the tools are designed to give the Board and Management Team new levers for issue prioritization, while empowering members to build internal roadmaps aligned with global best practices.
“As we deepen engagement, the tiers system will help us move past dependency on the slowest adopters,” said Marie Seco-Köppen, Executive Director of Cargo iQ. “The membership will be in a better position to create future-oriented standards without relying on the pace of the lowest common denominator.”
What’s Next: Smart Data Integration and Certification Rollout
The first round of assessments will be conducted this summer, following the finalization of data reporting specifications. Cargo iQ will then integrate the tiers matrix into its Smart Data platform in autumn 2025, offering members access to real-time performance visibility and benchmarking tools.
For a global air cargo industry under mounting pressure to improve efficiency, reduce errors, and embrace digitalization, Cargo iQ’s move signals a shift toward measurable, scalable, and transparent quality management.
Why It Matters:
By shifting away from static certification and toward tiered performance tracking, Cargo iQ is redefining what quality looks like in air cargo. In a fragmented industry, it may be the most concrete step yet toward a shared, measurable standard of operational excellence.
Eva Richardson is a senior correspondent at The Logistic News, specializing in air cargo performance, quality systems, and global freight transparency.
