ANA makes history: first asian airline with IATA DG AutoCheck Connect API

Friday, January 12, 2024

ANA, the largest 5-Star airline in Japan for 11 consecutive years, has become the first airline in Asia to integrate the DG AutoCheck Connect API, the latest feature of IATA‘s DG AutoCheckblank. This move signifies a pivotal step in the digitalization of the air cargo industry within the region. The DG AutoCheck Connect API automates the transfer of data from DG AutoCheck, an electronic verification system for dangerous goods declarations based on IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations. This integration seamlessly incorporates this data into ANA’s international cargo system.

By digitizing dangerous goods consignment operations and information registration, the technology eliminates the necessity for manual checks against declaration forms, regulation books, and paper checklists. This electronic data-based check system, coupled with rulebooks, enhances operational efficiency at airports, reduces human error, and elevates aviation safety. ANA has initiated the implementation of DG AutoCheck at Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, and Osaka Kansai airports, with plans for expansion to more airports in the future.

DG AutoCheck transforms Dangerous Goods Declaration Forms received from shippers or air cargo agents into data, aligning with IATA’s objective to digitize all paper-based information in air cargo transportation (e-freight). ANA aims to achieve consistent data exchange and processing industry-wide.

Kenichi Wakiya, Executive Vice President of ANA and President of ANA Cargo, emphasizes the airline’s commitment to innovation, safety, and efficiency. He states, “The implementation of DG AutoCheck enhances our capabilities through digitizing critical information that will benefit our customers.”

Frederic Leger, IATA’s Senior Vice President Commercial Products and Services, highlights the efficiency gains of the Connect API. He mentions that exchanging data with Connect API will provide the speed, quality, compliance, and safety benefits demanded by air cargo customers. The instantaneous availability of detailed information on dangerous goods in the payload is a significant improvement, reducing the time it takes for flight crew of freighter operations to access such information.

ANA is dedicated to furthering the digitization of air cargo transportation to enhance customer convenience, operational efficiency, and secure cargo transport through reliable data.

DG AutoCheck is a digital solution designed to facilitate the acceptance of dangerous goods by checking the compliance of the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods (DGD) against the relevant rules and regulations in the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR). Using optical character recognition technology, it transforms paper DGD into electronic data. DG AutoCheck can also process electronic Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods (e-DGD). The data is then automatically processed and verified using the digital version of the DGR.

Additionally, DG AutoCheck assists ground handlers or airlines in deciding whether to accept or reject a shipment during the physical inspection stage. It provides a pictorial representation of the package with the required marking and labeling for air transport. For instance, DG AutoCheck aids DG acceptance staff in verifying compliance with prerequisites for shipments of lithium batteries, contributing significantly to safety and efficiency given the growing global transportation of these batteries and their varying types, packaging, and safety hazards.

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