Section 1: Trade Bodies, Associations, and Related Documents

This section sheds light on the various organizations and publications shaping the ULD industry landscape.

Airlines for America (A4A): The national counterpart of IATA in the USA, representing the interests of American airlines.

IATA Airport Handling Manual (AHM): A comprehensive publication by IATA, outlining industry-approved standards for safe and efficient airport operations.

International Air Travel Association (IATA): The leading trade association representing global airlines.

ULD CARE: Formerly known as IULDUG, ULD CARE is a body facilitating ULD interlining among member airlines, focusing on compliance, airworthiness, regulations, and education.

Global Air Cargo Advisory Group (GACAG): A coalition comprising IATA, FIATA, TIACA, and GSF, collaborating on industry issues.

International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO): A specialized UN agency codifying principles and techniques for international air navigation.

IATA ULD Panel (ULDP): The primary decision-making body within IATA for ULD-related matters.

IATA ULD Regulations (ULDR): IATA's publication covers all aspects of ULD activity.

IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA): An evaluation system by IATA designed to assess airline operational management and control systems.

IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM): IATA's publication covering various aspects of ground operations.

FIATA: The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, representing logistics firms globally.

The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA): A global trade association representing all major segments of the air cargo and logistics industry.

Section 2: Regulators and Regulations

Here, we delve into the regulatory bodies and standards governing air transport and safety.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): The national aviation authority of the United States, overseeing civil aviation regulations.

European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA): A European Union agency with regulatory tasks in civilian aviation safety.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO): A UN agency codifying principles and techniques for international air navigation.

National Aviation Authority/Civil Aviation Authority (NAA/CAA): Government bodies overseeing civil aviation activities in respective countries.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB): An independent U.S. federal agency investigating civil aviation accidents and significant incidents in other transportation modes.

Section 3: Operational and General Terms

This section clarifies common operational terms and concepts related to aircraft and ULDs.

Unit Load Device (ULD): A device for grouping, transferring, and restraining cargo during transit, which may include pallets, containers, nets, or straps.

Service Level Agreement (SLA): An agreement between airlines and ground handlers for service provision at specific locations.

Weight and Balance Manual (WBM): Manual providing data and guidance necessary for safe aircraft loading, issued by aircraft manufacturers and approved by airworthiness authorities.

Tare Weight (TW): The empty weight of any ULD, including accessories.

Demurrage: Charges for using another party's ULD, typically levied by the ULD owner.

Deciphering the alphabet soup of ULD industry acronyms and codes is no easy feat, but with this guide, we hope to provide clarity and understanding. While not exhaustive, this resource serves as a valuable reference for professionals and enthusiasts alike. For updates or suggestions, please reach out to louise.ladouceur@uldcare.com. Let's continue to demystify the language of aviation together.