Qatar Aviation Services Cargo, ground handling partner of Qatar Airways, has achieved a milestone for cargo ground handing agents in the Middle East and Africa region as its Doha cargo facility was granted the Smart Facility Operational Capacity Certification (SFOC) by the International Air Transport Association.

This is the first time that a cargo ground handing agent in the region was granted the ‘Smart Facility’ certification. The achievement complements the company’s recent IATA Centre of Excellence for Independent Validators (CEIV Fresh) certification in June 2023.

IATA’s audit team validated the operational procedures of QAS Cargo in compliance with several IATA specific regulations, including those for handling dangerous goods, ULD, temperature control as well as live animal and perishables. QAS said the audit that was conducted in April 2023, which included assessment of the cargo handling infrastructure, equipment and implementation of procedures at its cargo terminal complex.

Mr. Brendan Sullivan, IATA’s Global Head of Cargo said, “Customers of organisations attaining Smart Facility Operational Capacity Certification (SFOC) recognise it as a key differentiator, highlighting the additional efforts taken to improve cargo operations, safety, service quality and enhance the customer experience.”

Qatar Airways and QAS Cargo have both been granted IATA CEIV Pharma, IATA CEIV Fresh, IATA CEIV Live Animals and IATA CEIV Lithium Battery certifications.