Over the past ten years, the Center of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV) program by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has shown significant growth and development in the air cargo sector. Since its inception, CEIV has established a global presence with 699 companies, including 85 airlines, covering 250,000 trade lanes. The program has cultivated 25 airport communities comprised of airlines, ground handlers, freight forwarders, and regulators who are all committed to upholding global best practices. In addition to creating these communities, CEIV has trained 10,000 professionals in the field and distributed over 100,000 IATA manuals to support their efforts in achieving operational excellence and compliance.
Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo, highlighted the impact of the program, stating, “CEIV has redefined the handling of special cargo shipments. Over the past decade, it has established a foundation of trust, transparency, and technical excellence across the supply chain—delivering tangible industry benefits, including improved compliance, a stronger culture of quality, enhanced cross-industry collaboration, and increased customer confidence. As the program continues to grow, it will remain a vital tool in helping the industry meet evolving challenges and expectations.”
The CEIV program has shown strength with a 99% renewal rate, indicating its importance and effectiveness within the industry. Looking into the future, CEIV aims to continue evolving by adopting new technologies that allow for remote training and virtual assessments, thereby improving accessibility without compromising quality. IATA is also striving to enhance the recognition of CEIV certifications by collaborating closely with regulatory authorities to expand the program to additional cargo segments.
“As global supply chains become more complex, the need for consistent, trusted standards is greater than ever. CEIV will continue to support innovation, strengthen compliance, and enhance safety across the air cargo ecosystem,” Sullivan explained.
CEIV-certified companies are accessible through the industry’s platform for validated suppliers, serving as a reference for those seeking trusted and certified partners.
For further information, interested parties are encouraged to contact the Corporate Communications of IATA.
