Qatar Airways Cargo and Kuehne + Nagel both received their continuing certification at the World Cargo Symposium in Dallas, Texas, USA today.

Cargo iQ, whose Member Audit and Certification Scheme is administered by independent auditors SGS, has also announced Menzies as its newest member.

"The response of our members and the industry to our new external audit has been overwhelmingly positive," said Ariaen Zimmerman, Executive Director, Cargo iQ.

"In an industry which can fall into a cycle of being inward-facing, the value of external validation on our processes and procedures is clear.

"Each and every one of our members has the opportunity to improve their operations through this."

Cargo iQ members undertake a two-day on-site visit during which they are audited to demonstrate, through certification, that their processes and services are compliant with quality standards for the worldwide air cargo industry, as created and implemented by the Cargo iQ membership.

"Continuous process optimization is a crucial part of our air freight business strategy," said Max Sauberschwarz, Global Head Carrier and Gateway Air Logistics, Kuehne + Nagel.

"We are delighted to be the first forwarder who has received the new Cargo iQ Phase 2 certificate. This confirms our high standards in airfreight."

Kuehne + Nagel received two certifications, one for its forwarding services, and for its internal IT system platform for Cargo iQ, the Cargo iQ Data Management Platform (CDMP).

"We thank Cargo iQ for recognizing Qatar Airways Cargo's steadfast efforts in upholding our quality standards. We are a proud Cargo iQ member," said Mr. Guillaume Halleux, Qatar Airways' Acting Chief Officer Cargo.

"Air cargo is such an interconnected industry that no success is possible without a consistent and coherent collaboration by all parties in the logistics chain.

This certification is certainly a booster for us to continue our active participation in the Cargo iQ working group, setting industry standards that bring progressive changes to the air cargo industry.

As one of the world's leading cargo carriers, we are committed to fostering our partnership with our ground handling agents, our trucking providers, and vendors to ensure excellence in operational delivery."

Cargo iQ's new audit program is part of a series of initiatives aimed at improving the value Cargo iQ delivers to its members, and to the global air cargo community.

"We have recently launched our new cargo strategy across our network and joining Cargo iQ is an integral part of our drive for excellence and a standardized approach to our customers' expectations." said Robert Fordree, Vice President -- Cargo Development, Menzies Aviation Plc.

The group has also launched an Air Cargo Intelligence Hub that gives members real-time access to their performance data, enabling them to develop new products and improve processes.

Through that access, Cargo iQ members are able to view combined performance data of other members and benchmark themselves against the Cargo iQ community.

Contributed by Cargo iQ