Page 80 - World Airnews Magazine January 2020 Edition

NEWS DIGITAL

IATA TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY OF

CARGO HANDLING AUDITS

the safe and efficient operations in the aviation industry. IATA’s
strong capabilities in auditing have been proven in the successful
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and CEIV programs. The
launched a new programme to raise global standards in cargo SFOC program will bring this expertise to general cargo handling
handling operations. operations,” said Glyn Hughes, IATA global head of cargo.
The Smart Facility Operational Capacity (SFOC) programme aims
to reduce audit complexity and duplication for cargo handling SFOC PROGRAMME LAUNCH PARTNERS
facilities. Singapore will be the initial focal point for this important new ini-
This IATA initiative has two components: tiative. SATS Ltd and Singapore Airlines are the first organisations
Standardized Global Audit Programme: IATA has introduced to join the Smart Facility Operational Capacity (SFOC) programme.
the Smart Facility Operational Capacity Audit Certification (SFOC SATS is the first cargo handling facility to receive the new SFOC
Audit Certification) to provide airlines with the assurance that audit certification and Singapore Airlines is the first airline to join
SFOC Certified facilities are adhering to IATA’s resolutions and the programme by signing the ARC.
recommended practices in cargo handling and with IATA’s Cargo “The SFOC certification, which we have worked closely with
Handling Manual (ICHM). IATA to refine, allows us to sharpen the focus of our own audits
It is estimated 360,000 days per year are wasted annually on of our handling agents. This zooms in on SIA specific procedures
redundant cargo handling audits. The SFOC Audit Certification and enabling even greater emphasis on safety and security. The
program aims to reduce redundant efforts across the industry combination of both the SFOC audits and our own audits serves to
by 50% through removing the need to validate generic cargo provide a comprehensive picture of our service partners’ capabili-
operation procedures. ties and operational quality, while improving audit efficiency for us
Committed Audit Reduction: The Audit Reduction Commitment and our service partners,” said Chin Yau Seng, senior vice president
(ARC) is an industry pledge to reduce audits. Airlines participating cargo, Singapore Airlines.
in the SFOC program will undertake a gap analysis to determine “SATS is delighted to be the world’s first cargo ground handler
which audit standards will not need to be assessed for SFOC worldwide to achieve the IATA SFOC Certification. We are delighted
certified facilities. The revised audit scope is then defined through to have Singapore Airlines as our partner and the first carrier to
the ARC. commit to ARC. The certification affirms SATS’ consistent standards
Individual airlines will provide clear visibility on the potential and the quality of our service. We hope other airlines will follow
audit reduction for SFOC certified facilities, ensuring there is a solid this example to realise the SFOC programme’s full audit efficiencies
mechanism to eliminate redundant audits. for the entire industry” said Yacoob Piperdi, CEO SATS Gateway
“Auditing is critical to ensure the global standards that underpin Services. Q

World Airnews | January Extra 2020
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