Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) is delighted to announce its participation in IATA’s Audit Reduction Commitment (ARC) initiative as part of the Smart Facility Operational Capacity (SFOC) program.

The SFOC programme aims to reduce audit complexity and duplication for cargo handling facilities. The standardized audit program provides airlines with the assurance that SFOC Certified facilities are adhering to IATA's Resolutions and Recommended Practices in cargo handling and with IATA's Cargo Handling Manual (ICHM). Through a gap analysis with the SFOC audit manual, airlines determine what standards will not need to be assessed again for SFOC certified cargo handling facilities during their audits.

Nippon Cargo Airlines took a step forward to align its audit standards with the SFOC program to reduce duplicated audit content. After successful completion of the analysis, Nippon Cargo Airlines will commit to a person day reduction of up to 40% per audit for all warehouse handling partners to hold an IATA SFOC certification.

“Joining the SFOC program allows NCA to achieve higher efficiency with less resources by focusing on core areas of importance. Being the first carrier in Japan to commit to ARC, we hope other airlines and cargo handling facilities will follow and support the SFOC program to realise the full audit efficiencies for the entire industry” said Mr. Tetsuo Mizuno, Executive Officer, Operations, NCA.

“IATA congratulates NCA on signing up to the ARC. Auditing is critical to ensure the global standards that underpin the safe and efficient operations in the aviation industry. NCA’s commitment to improving audit efficiency while maintaining that focus is a significant boost towards the goal of reducing redundant auditing processes in our industry” said Mr. Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo.

Links to be included in press release:

https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/cargo-operations/smart-facility/

https://onesource.iata.org

https://www.iata.org/en/publications/store/iata-cargo-handling-manual/