Two companies specialising in aviation training technologies have been recognised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for their innovative use of artificial intelligence to enhance professional training in the air cargo industry.
Pika Aero and DGM France received the 2026 IATA Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) Center Best Innovation Award, which was presented during the 4th IATA CBTA Center Conference, held alongside the 2026 IATA World Cargo Symposium (WCS) in Lima, Peru.
The award recognises their efforts to integrate AI-powered training systems capable of delivering more realistic operational scenarios and personalised learning experiences.
Paris-based Pika Aero, which develops certified e-learning programmes for aviation professionals in areas such as safety, security and dangerous goods handling, was honoured for its immersive CBTA-based dangerous goods training technology.
Using artificial intelligence, the platform guides trainees through short lessons combined with dynamic operational scenarios that adapt in real time according to the learner’s performance.
Meanwhile, DGM France, a specialist in dangerous goods training, developed an AI-driven solution capable of tailoring training programmes according to each learner’s knowledge level and experience.
The system also includes post-training validation tools that analyse performance and provide structured feedback to identify remaining skill gaps.
Announcing the award, Frédéric Leger, IATA’s senior vice president for products and services, said artificial intelligence is becoming a critical enabler for realistic training environments that improve safety and compliance across aviation operations.
The CBTA Center Best Innovation Awards, created in 2023, are evaluated by an independent jury composed of industry experts, IATA representatives and external validators.
Candidates are assessed based on innovation, industry impact, sustainability, usability, implementation feasibility and evidence-based effectiveness.
The 2026 World Cargo Symposium, held between 10 and 12 March in Lima, focuses on the theme “Advancing Air Cargo in a Dynamic World”, highlighting the influence of digitalisation, geopolitical change and evolving regulations on global supply chains.
