Efforts aim to standardize air transport for human remains

Home
»
Stories
»
2024
»
June

GLOBAL INDUSTRY NEWS

Nepal Plane Crash Kills 18 After Takeoff - Airline Ratings

The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation announces NLRB-scheduled vote to remove union officials

Families recount the horror of MH17 ten years on - Airline Ratings

777-9 Enters Certification Flight Testing - AVweb

Kompass Kapital Sets New Course with Airshare Investment

SATS, SIA Engineering Company and Changi Airport Group to Trial Autonomous Buses at Changi Airport

Qatar Airways Landing An A350 In Hamburg Makes A Powerful Statement - Airline Ratings

EBAA Backs Dassault's Sustainability Lawsuit against European Commission | AIN

American Airlines Now Lets You Earn And Spend Miles On Concerts And Events

Boeing agrees to plead guilty to defrauding the FAA but escapes punishment sought by victims’ families | CNN Business

IATA partners with Aviation Sustainability Forum to tackle cabin waste

Qatar Airways In Talks To Buy 20% Of Virgin Australia - Airline Ratings

Boeing Will Buy Spirit AeroSystems For $4.7 Billion In Stock & Airbus Enters $559 Million Agreement For Its Parts

Bombardier Global Jet Production Stops in Toronto as Union Workers Strike | AIN

Justice Department To Offer Boeing a Plea Deal Related to Max Crashes

Plane diverted to Brazil after turbulence injures 30

As air taxi services make progress in U.S., no timeline set for liftoff over L.A. traffic

Global Industry News

Efforts aim to standardize air transport for human remains

Joe Petrie Editor & Chief | AviationPros

By Sky Industry News

Jun 25, 2024

An international effort is underway to improve the air transportation of human remains. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Fédération Internationale des Associations de Thanatologues (FIAT-IFTA), a global funeral operators' federation, are collaborating on this initiative.

IATA represents 336 airlines, accounting for over 80% of global air traffic. Through its online hub, it offers an on-demand webinar with insights from both IATA and FIAT-IFTA leaders. This collaboration aims to ensure dignified and safe transport for deceased individuals.

Marek Cichewicz, president of FIAT-IFTA, emphasized the importance of repatriation: "At the moment, this body, this deceased, is more important than gold or diamonds." He added that they are seeking solutions to improve these processes.

Get the Newsletter

Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News

By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The Compassionate Transportation Manual (CTM), now in its fourth edition, is a key tool developed by IATA to guide stakeholders like funeral home operators and airlines in handling human remains. Lucy Exell from IATA highlighted that the manual emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic's impact: “There was no single source document available...that could provide harmonized guidance.”

To develop CTM, IATA worked with WHO and ICAO for guidance on transporting COVID-19-related human remains. They also collaborated with entities such as MacKinnon and Bowes Ltd., Hygeco, FSAC, and Albin International Repatriation.

Andre Majeres of IATA stressed the importance of standardization: “We strive to establish the best standards...available for all.” He explained that consistent processes prevent surprises in cargo handling.

Since its inception, CTM has expanded to cover sustainable practices and electronic data exchange among other topics. Recently launched is IATA’s Compassionate Transportation LIVE virtual course aimed at industry stakeholders.

Rebecca Kanable joined Endeavor Business Media's aviation group in 2021 and serves as Assistant Editor at Ground Support Worldwide.