The countdown until January 1, 2026 – the date that IATA has set for the global accreditation of the single record standard – is done well, but the industry still has a large floor to cover.
“From our point of view, the industry has made good progress towards accepting one record as a standard but is still far from full adoption,” said Robert Pedrne, Director of Products Department at Descartes.
Although the early steps were promising, it warns against expecting complete compliance through the deadline: “The industry will not have 100 percent of all types of business by January 1, 2026, as the processes and ecosystems of software are still dependent on the stable correspondence that can be relied upon from the goods (and Cargo-XML).”
This indicates a deeper fact: the old systems remain guaranteed deeply within the tissue of the global air charge. Many stakeholders-from shipping agents to organizational agencies-are linked to long-term infrastructure, which complicates the transition to a form that focuses on data. Although the promise of one of the records of a “one source of truth” is convincing, the practical facts of managing change through this vast ecosystems are difficult.
However, Descartes plays a proactive role in bridging the gap. Its Air Messenger ™ platform is already ready to accommodate JSO’s applications, providing customers with a deportation path that does not disrupt operations. “Data conversion is an essential function for that service,” Pedersen – a necessity in an industry in which the backward compatibility remains necessary, even among the front momentum.
From heritage to the front edge
A single record application is not that simple, like stirring a numerical key. Pedersen was fast to highlight the historical weight that the current systems carry: “One of the largest [challenges] It is that shipping shipment has served the trade well, with slight adjustments, for nearly half a century. “
This legacy created very well-established practices-both of which are human and automatic-which resist rapid change. “Many old charging systems-and organizational bodies such as CBP- in the form of goods or their variables to exchange shipping documents,” explained by Pedersen.
The deportation to the first data model increases these processes, which only requires technical innovation but also cultural and procedural reforms.
However, Descartes are placed to lead this transition. “We were a leader in data movement and the transition to the first data solutions,” Pedersen pointed out.
Their continuous work includes converting traditional IMP data into compatible formats with comfortable application programming facades, mainly provides a bridge from the ancient world to the new.
Ideas obtained from the first adopte, such as Lufthansa, have played a fundamental role. “Although one of the records is presented as a global solution, there will be opportunities to move and update the current work requirements, ensuring data safety, and re -establishing both human communication and networks.”
Security, consensus and control
With the emergence of data -focused systems, the issue of data ownership, control and safety becomes very important. Pedersen emphasized that for Descartes, this is not late – it is an institution. “Security first is our approach to all the development of products,”
This guidance principle guarantees that the transformation into one record does not display the integrity or privacy of sensitive data. “We have worked with our partners to ensure that the exchange of data elements through one record keeps the safety profile they expect,” Pedersen expressed. Whether processing airlines or organizational deposits, Descartes are still committed to providing safe and reliable service.
On an equal basis is the ability to operate with the old systems, which is still a key challenge in the scene of the air cargo. Here, the DESCARTES air correspondence solution plays a pivotal role. “He is designed to deliver messages and translate them to customers, regardless of coordination,” Pedersen explained. “Our services are” the individual source of truth “that will lead to the leadership of the JSON RESTFL API record for our customers.”
The cost of inaction
The industry still has stubborn obstacles to overcoming them – among them, segmented landscapes and old customs. “The regulations are not evolving as much as they were shattered and restored with Superglue”, Pedersen announced.
This chaotic organizational environment puts huge pressure on stakeholders to respond quickly and effectively. He added: “It is now possible that there will be one message from three messages – and there is a cost for this.” Feiled correspondence is inefficient emphasizes the importance of standardized data standards such as one record, which Descartes believes will eventually reduce the cost and complexity.
But achieving this vision will require deep cooperation. “It is important to cooperate with all stakeholders to identify operations and workflow,” Pedersen stressed.
While IATA has “set a map”, it is up to the collective industry “to find the way forward.” He explained: “Rapid from air transport companies and other commercial partners from the amount of mutual paper and improves the production time for resources, which helps them to focus on high -value work.”
