LATAM Cargo has become the first airline in the Americas to integrate the International Air Transport Association’s DG AutoCheck solution directly into its central cargo operating system.
Launched at the carrier’s Miami station, the technology validates dangerous goods information in real time and alerts customers when declarations contain discrepancies. Earlier identification allows shippers to correct eligible errors before they disrupt acceptance or planned flight schedules.
The airline connected DG AutoCheck with Croamis, the core platform supporting its cargo operations. This places automated validation within the regular shipment workflow instead of requiring staff to use a separate system.
LATAM Cargo developed the integration in collaboration with IATA and technology company Wipro. Following its Miami implementation, the carrier plans to introduce the system progressively across its wider network.
Digital validation improves cargo acceptance
Dangerous goods shipments require accurate classification, documentation, packaging, marks, labels and handling. A mistake in any of these areas can lead to rejection, repacking or missed flight connections.
DG AutoCheck compares information from a Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods against applicable requirements in the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
The declaration can contain the proper shipping name, United Nations identification number, hazard class, quantity, packing instruction and other essential details.
LATAM Cargo’s integration gives customers automatic notifications when the system detects a discrepancy. This creates an opportunity to resolve the problem earlier and reduce avoidable disruption.
An interactive checklist also guides trained acceptance employees through standardised physical inspections of packaging and classification. The technology supports specialists rather than replacing their judgement.
Damaged packages, leaking substances, incorrect labels or differences between the physical shipment and its declaration still require human intervention.
Dangerous goods demand strict safeguards
Dangerous goods include substances and articles capable of presenting risks to health, safety, property or the environment during transport.
Many are common consumer, medical or industrial products. The United States Federal Aviation Administration identifies lithium batteries, dry ice and certain aerosols as examples.
Vibration, static electricity, temperature changes and pressure variations during air transport can cause improperly prepared goods to leak, release toxic fumes, ignite or explode.
The regulatory system contains nine broad hazard classes. These cover explosives, gases, flammable liquids, flammable solids, oxidising substances, toxic and infectious materials, radioactive goods, corrosives and miscellaneous dangerous articles.
Lithium batteries require particular attention because they are used in mobile phones, computers, medical equipment, vehicles and industrial products.
Shippers remain responsible for identifying regulated goods and ensuring that they meet packaging, communication and training requirements. Automated validation does not transfer that responsibility to the airline or technology provider.
Miami becomes strategic launch location
Miami provides a demanding environment for the first integrated deployment. The airport is a major cargo gateway connecting the United States with Latin America, the Caribbean and global markets.
LATAM Cargo has extensive regional operations serving different countries and cargo sectors through Miami. Shipments moving through the station must meet international standards, United States requirements and applicable airline variations.
Launching the system at a large international hub allows LATAM Cargo to test its performance across varied commodities, customers and operational conditions.
The phased approach should help the airline refine employee training, customer communication and technical processes before extending the platform to other stations.
Each location may present different cargo profiles, infrastructure, languages and national requirements. Gradual deployment can preserve consistent safety objectives while addressing legitimate local conditions.
Automated NOTOC improves information flow
Validated dangerous goods data can also support the preparation of the Notification to Captain, commonly known as the NOTOC.
This document provides the pilot-in-command with details about dangerous goods carried aboard the aircraft and their loading location. Accurate information is critical when crews or emergency services respond to an abnormal event.
Repeatedly entering identical information into separate systems can increase administrative work and create a risk of transcription mistakes.
IATA’s digital interface allows verified data to move into connected operational processes, including NOTOC preparation. This improves traceability while reducing unnecessary manual entry.
However, digitalisation introduces its own responsibilities. Airlines need strong access controls, cybersecurity, system monitoring and recovery procedures.
Contingency plans must ensure that safety-critical cargo processing can continue if a network connection or digital service becomes unavailable.
Freight customers could face fewer disruptions
For shippers and freight forwarders, the main benefit is faster identification of documentation problems.
A rejected consignment can miss its planned flight and disrupt manufacturing, medical distribution or another time-sensitive supply chain. Early correction may improve first-time acceptance and schedule reliability.
The platform can also free trained specialists from repetitive cross-referencing, allowing them to focus on complex cases and direct customer support.
Nevertheless, performance will depend on the quality of information submitted. Incomplete or inaccurate data cannot produce a reliable automated decision.
Customers shipping lithium batteries must remain particularly careful about battery type, configuration, rating, packaging and condition. Damaged, defective or recalled batteries may face strict restrictions.
Human expertise remains central
LATAM Cargo’s achievement represents an operational safety improvement, not a claim that software alone can guarantee compliance.
Qualified employees must still inspect physical consignments, recognise unusual conditions and escalate cases requiring specialist judgement. Regulations also change, making current training and controlled technical information essential.
The airline should assess results through first-time acceptance rates, detected discrepancies, processing times, system availability and NOTOC accuracy.
If the Miami launch produces measurable improvements, it could encourage airlines, freight forwarders and handlers across the Americas to pursue deeper digital integration.
LATAM Cargo DG AutoCheck establishes a significant regional benchmark by connecting automated dangerous goods validation with daily cargo operations. Its success will depend on combining reliable technology with accurate customer data, regulatory discipline and experienced human oversight.
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