DP World has gained IATA certification for freight forwarding operations at 11 locations across the US and Mexico, extending its certified airfreight network across the Americas.

The certification covers nine US sites — Atlanta (ATL), Chicago (ORD), Detroit (DTW), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR) and El Paso (ELP) — plus Mexico City and Monterrey in Mexico.

IATA certification recognises freight forwarders that meet internationally accepted standards for operational performance, financial accountability and professional competence, DP World noted in a statement.

What does certification change commercially?

The status allows DP World to work "more directly with airline partners, helping streamline cargo movements while providing customers with greater consistency and reliability for time-sensitive shipments", the company said.

Joseph Fordney, senior vice president of freight forwarding for DP World in the Americas, said: "Achieving IATA certification across our strategic US and Mexico airfreight locations is an important milestone in strengthening our integrated logistics offering."

He added: "Customers increasingly want a single logistics partner that can move cargo seamlessly across air, ocean, and inland transportation while meeting the highest global standards for quality, compliance, and operational performance. This certification reinforces our ability to deliver exactly that."

Building an end-to-end network

DP World is positioning the certified airfreight network as one component of fully integrated, end-to-end supply chain solutions throughout the Americas. Combined with the company's ocean freight, customs brokerage, warehousing, trucking and contract logistics services, the certification allows customers to move cargo through a single logistics provider with greater visibility, coordination and consistency from origin to destination.

The move follows earlier regional steps:

• Dedicated airfreight directors appointed in the US, Canada and Mexico to strengthen regional leadership and customer support.
• IATA certification gained for freight forwarding operations in Panama in June.
• IATA certification secured for airfreight services in Brazil early last year.

DP World expects its Montreal freight forwarding operation to achieve IATA certification in 2027, which would further extend its certified North American network.