IATA/CARGO Qualifications

Under the leadership of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), International Cargo Agents Training Programme is a step-by-step professional training programme designed to help you advance from entry-level to senior management in the cargo Industry. Introduced by IATA over 40 years ago to enhance the professionalism and ability of cargo agents, it is delivered and updated on a regular basic by a team of cargo experts and training specialists.

Prerequisites

It is recommended that students have completed a secondary school education or equivalent. A good understanding of written English, world geography and basic mathematics is essential.

Why a Career in Cargo ?

  • Privatization of National Carriers leading to rapid expansion programmes.
  • Proposals of new International Airports starting in Navi Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad
  • International upcoming Cargo Hubs which would generate 2 lakh job opportunities
  • New domestic carriers to be started and international airlines starting operations in India.
  • The Air Cargo Industry is growing at 10% per annum and CHA firms as well as Freight Handling companies have realized the importance of Air Freight and are seeking IATA accreditation. This in turn has created tremendous employment opportunities for IATA/CARGO Diploma holders.

Why IHCTM ?

  • IHCTM has been the pioneer of Air Cargo Training Programmes in India.
  • IHCTM is the first centre in Mumbai to offer all the three levels of IATA/Cargo programmes
  • IHCTM students not only excel in the IATA/ Cargo exams but are given preferential selection not only in the Freight Forwarding Industry but also for apprenticeship training at Cargo Complex by ground handling agencies.
  • Besides being one of the two institutes in India offering all the 3 levels of the IATA/Cargo qualifications viz Cargo Introductory, Air Cargo Rating with Marketing and Dangerous Goods Regulations, IHCTM students have consistently excelled in the IATA/Cargo exams.
  • IHCTM has an excellent record of students who have stood 1st in India in IATA Introductory Cargo/ Dangerous Goods Regulations (Initial) and Dangerous Goods Regulations (Recurrent). The faculty sets an example to the students by coming first in India in Dangerous Goods Regulation (Recurrent).

IATA/CARGO INTRODUCTORY

The IATA/Introductory Course in Air Cargo and Courier is one of the requirements for accreditation as an IATA Cargo Agent. The Introductory Course takes into account a number of changes in the air cargo industry and the evolution of the industry towards the adoption of the Montreal Protocol.

At the end of the course, you will be able to:
1. Make appropriate arrangements and reservations for international air cargo shipment
2. Calculate correct rates and charges for both general cargo and special cargo
3. Complete air waybills in accordance with applicable IATA rules and procedures

Eligibility:
This course is designed for the traffic and operations staff of international air cargo agents but is also useful to sales and marketing staff of cargo agents and consolidators; sales, reservations and acceptance staff of airlines, airport handling and surface transportation companies; shipping department staff of manufacturers, wholesalers, importers and exporters

COURSE SYLLABUS

1. Industry regulations; ICAO -IATA - FIATA
2. The air cargo agency; The IATA cargo agent -The consolidator
3. World geography; IATA 3-letter codes -time differences -calculation of transportation times
4. Use of Guides; the OAG Air Cargo Guide
5. Aircraft; bulk loading limitations -Unit Load
6. Devices (ULDs) Handling facilities; aircraft and cargo terminal facilities
7. Air cargo acceptance
8. Cargo booking procedures
9. Cargo automation
10. Air cargo rates and charges; application of TACT (The Air Cargo Tariff)
11. The Air Waybill; completion - labelling and marking-

-IATA/AIR CARGO RATING AND MARKETING

For those wanting to specialize in container loading and consolidation, the AIR CARGO RATING AND MARKETING Course is extremely useful. Persons holding the IATA/ International Air Cargo Rating and Marketing Diploma are considered qualified under the terms of the IATA Resolutions applicable to IATA 's accreditation of Cargo Agents.

At the end of the course you will be able to:
1. Correctly quote the published rates and charges for air cargo shipments
2. Calculate appropriate rates and charges for mixed consignments and Unit Load Devices (ULDs)
3. Complete Air waybills

Eligibility:
1. Traffic and operations staff of international air cargo
2. Sales and marketing staff of cargo agents and consolidators
3. Sales, reservations and acceptance staff of airlines, airport handling and surface transportation companies
4. Shipping department staff of manufacturers, wholesalers, importers and exporters
5. All staff of cargo agents, airlines and manufacturers who wish to expand or refresh their knowledge of current international air cargo rating and handling procedures.

COURSE SYLLABUS

1. Review of basic cargo rating principles; The Air Cargo Tariff (TACT)-IATA areas and sub - areas -chargeable weight - rates and charges - Air Waybill completion
2. Currency regulations; conversion rates - rounding off procedures
3. Construction rates (general cargo, specific commodity and class rates)
4. Combination of rates and charges (international general cargo rates, specific commodity and class rates)
5. Mixed consignments; declaration of the goods - rating - Air Waybill completion
6. ULDs; definitions, specifications, classification and identification of ULDs - general rules governing the use of ULDs - ULD charges and Marketing Procedures.

-IATA/DANGEROUS GOODS REGULATIONSOne of the pre-requisites to get a Cargo Agency accredited with IATA is to have two employees working in the company who have completed the IATA/Dangerous Goods Regulations Course. Further, the Dangerous Goods Regulations Diploma has to be validated every two years to update oneself with the latest formalities for identifying, classifying and complying with formalities of packing, marking, labelling and documentation of hazardous substances.The Dangerous Goods Regulations Examination comprises of one paper - Acceptance and Use of Dangerous Goods Regulations and the candidate has to refer to the latest edition of the Dangerous Goods Regulations and complete his examination paper.

At the end of the course, you will be able to:
1. Apply the IATA Cargo Dangerous Goods Regulations correctly
2. Understand the legal aspects and the responsibility of the shippers, agents and airlines involved in the transport of dangerous goods
3. Identify and classify individual dangerous goods items
4. Verify that the goods are properly packed, marked and labeled
5. Fill in and check the Shippers’ Declaration for Dangerous Goods (DGD)
6. Complete Air waybills in accordance with the applicable IATA rules and procedures
7. Deliver dangerous goods shipments to the airlines “ready for carriage”

Eligibility:
1. Traffic and operations staff of international air cargo agents
2. Sales and marketing staff of cargo agents and consolidators
3. Sales, reservations and acceptance staff of airlines, airport handling and surface
transportation companies
4. Shipping department staff of manufacturers, wholesalers, importers and exporters
5. All staff of cargo agents, airlines and manufacturers who wish to expand or refresh
their knowledge of dangerous goods regulations and procedures

COURSE SYLLABUS:
1. Contents of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations Manual
2. Dangerous goods classes and divisions
3. Identification
4. Packing requirements
5. Marking and labeling
6. Documentation
7. Radioactive materials
8. State and operator variations
9. Checking procedures
10. Excepted quantities

HIGHLIGHTS OF the IATA/CARGO Programme

  • The IATA/IntroductoryAir Cargo and Air Cargo Rating with Marketing courses comprise of 1 paper each and to pass the examination you have to score a minimum of 60% in each paper. A score of 90% in each paper in the first attempt entitles you to receiving a diploma with Distinction. Maximum two attempts are allowed in each paper and the examination has to be given within the course validity period. The exams are held in March, June, September and December each year.
  • The IATA/Dangerous Goods Regulations examination is valid for 12 months and the examinations are held in March, June, September and December each year. The passing percentage is 80 and on scoring 90% in the first attempt the candidate would be awarded a diploma with Distinction. Only two attempts are permitted within the validity period of the course. The IATA/Dangerous Goods Regulations course examination comprises of one paper only.
  • The student has to register for a Dangerous Goods Recurrent or Refresher programme every 2 years. Enquire with IHCTM for details.
  • Each course is of a duration of 3 to 4 months. A customized programme can be designed for the industry to complete the course on a fast track basis (minimum of 10 participants)-

A word of caution - To encash on the ignorance of students, there are many unscrupulous institutes who claim to offer IATA approved or IATA based courses. For the list of authorized training centres for IATA/Travel and Tourism and IATA/Cargo programmes visit http://www.iata.org/training/self_study or email traveltraining@iata.org