BBN Airlines Indonesia joins IATA amid regional expansion

BBN Airlines Indonesia has joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA), becoming part of a global association representing more than 370 airlines across over 120 countries. Together, IATA members account for approximately 85% of global air traffic. Established in Jakarta in 2022, BBN Airlines Indonesia is a non-scheduled airline specialising in wet-lease and charter services for airlines and other aviation customers across Indonesia and the broader Asia-Pacific region. IATA membership is open to airlines operating scheduled and non-scheduled services that maintain an IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registration, which BBN Airlines Indonesia obtained in 2025. The milestone comes as BBN Airlines Indonesia continues to grow its wet-lease and charter operations. The airline currently operates two Boeing 737-800 aircraft, registered as PK-BBF and PK-BBG. It also plans to add an Airbus A320 to its fleet, with commercial services expected to begin in December 2026. “We are proud to become part of the IATA network,” said Werry Orbani, Chief Executive Officer of BBN Airlines Indonesia. “This membership represents an important step in our development as we continue expanding our wet-lease and charter operations. It strengthens our connection with the international aviation community and gives us an opportunity to contribute to industry discussions while continuing to provide reliable capacity solutions to our partners across Indonesia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.” As an IATA member, BBN Airlines Indonesia will be able to participate more closely in industry discussions, advisory groups and initiatives covering areas such as safety, operational efficiency and regulatory development. The membership will also strengthen the airline’s connections with aviation stakeholders internationally. BBN Airlines Indonesia is part of Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI provider. The group operates a fleet of 136 aircraft across six continents and is supported by more than 11,000 aviation professionals across its 250+ subsidiaries. Its portfolio also includes MRO, pilot and crew training, ground handling, and a range of other aviation services worldwide. IATA releases 2027 cargo and ground operations manuals The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released the updated 2027 editions of key industry manuals for cargo and ground operations, which incorporate major changes and revisions to align with evolving global standards. Highlights of revisions include: Dangerous Good Regulations (DGR) Instructions to improve clarity on DGR packaging requirements Restrictions and requirements for spare batteries and power banks Requirements for lithium battery-powered mobility aids including new operator obligations for devices exceeding 300Wh Updates to State and Operator Variations, including new variations from 17 states Battery Shipping Regulations (BSR) Introduction of provisions for hybrid batteries containing both lithium-ion and sodium-ion cells Revisions to packing instructions, particularly related to sodium-ion and prototype batteries Clarification on exclusions from the 4-cell/2-battery limit for certain battery shipments New requirement for battery marks to be displayed on the same package surface as other applicable hazard labels Live Animals Regulations (LAR) Additions of specific pathogen-free laboratory animals to species listings Standardized terminology and metric measurement across container requirements Updated aircraft cargo compartment cleaning and disinfection procedures Availability of a Portuguese version following Brazil’s adoption of LAR Airport Handling Manual (AHM) New guidance for biometric handling in contactless travel, covering touchpoint processes and privacy/ethical considerations Advanced provisions for autonomous ground service equipment activities near aircraft Enhanced digital tools—which will increasingly leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI)—are linking IATA’s manuals more efficiently to the industry processes that they support, an important advancement as aviation continues its transition to more connected, automated and data-driven operations. This also helps embed IATA standards into decision making and live operational environments. This includes: LAR Verify, automated compliance verification tool for live animal shipments e-Battery Shipping Regulations (e-BSR) introduces new Interactive Classification Scenarios DG Digital, a module of DG Autocheck, to create and manage Shipper’s Declarations for Dangerous Goods (DGD) DGR includes enhancements to the digital version, improving navigation and access to dangerous goods information Digital Load Verification (DLV) to verify aircraft loading activities, reducing loading errors by more than 80% and loading-related delays by up to 30% “Our 2027 manual revisions reflect advancements in technology, regulation, and customer needs. As our manuals are used in a more digitally connected environment, we are focusing on creating tools that integrate them into the critical processes and activities that underpin cargo and ground operations. This is a major step toward advancing safer, more efficient airline operations, and is soon to be super-charged by the power of AI,” said Frederic Leger, IATA’s Senior Vice President of Products and Services. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]