MAB Academy and Ahlex receive awards for innovative training in dangerous goods handling

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MAB Academy and Ahlex receive awards for innovative training in dangerous goods handling

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Sandrine Le Borgne Senior Vice President Corporate Services & CFO | International Air Transport Association - IATA

By Sky Industry News

Apr 14, 2025

MAB Academy, the educational branch of the Malaysia Aviation Group, has been awarded the 2025 IATA CBTA Center Innovation Award for a virtual reality training program in dangerous goods handling. This program was developed with the University of Malaya's Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology. The training simulates real-life warehouse scenarios, allowing participants to practice handling dangerous goods in a virtual environment. The program aims to enhance engagement and operational readiness by integrating theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience.

Ahlex also received the IATA CBTA Center Innovation Award for its training solution within its Digital Training & Experience Center, specifically focusing on dangerous goods training. Ahlex's approach includes 3D cargo simulations, tablet-based checklists, and immersive environmental projections to offer realistic safety-critical training scenarios.

Brendan Sullivan, IATA Global Head of Cargo, stated, "The safe handling of shipments classified as dangerous goods is essential. This includes handling lithium batteries, which are increasingly present in global supply chains. Handling such products safely requires well-trained professionals. MAB Academy and Ahlex are being recognized with IATA CBTA Center Innovation Awards for their immersive and digital training solutions. The realistic environments they have created for training strengthen safety and enhance compliance. We are proud to count MAB Academy and Ahlex among our network of 214 IATA CBTA Centers and encourage others to follow their example in raising training standards industry-wide."

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Aida Salfaraz Ahmad Fadzil, Chief Operating Officer of MAB Academy, remarked, "MAB Academy’s immersive virtual reality (VR) training program for dangerous goods handling was developed to provide a safe, realistic environment where trainees can build practical skills through simulated real-world scenarios, minimizing risks while enhancing preparedness. It’s encouraging to see innovation in training being acknowledged as a key part of improving safety standards within the industry and foster a stronger safety culture."

Isabelle Borli of Ahlex commented, "As dangerous goods become more common in the cargo environment, it is even more important for training to reflect real-world challenges. Our Digital Training & Experience Center was designed to help participants apply what they’ve learned in immersive, safety-critical scenarios. This award from IATA supports the shift toward digital and more hands-on, competency-based learning in aviation."

The IATA CBTA Center Innovation Awards were introduced in 2023 to promote operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability across the industry. This year's awards were presented at the 3rd IATA CBTA Center Conference. The selection process involved an independent jury evaluating the entries on innovation, industry impact, user-friendliness, and effectiveness.