Avianca Cargo and Kuehne+Nagel take Cargo iQ Quality Rally in Frankfurt

Avianca Cargo and Kuehne+Nagel have won the Cargo iQ Quality Rally, held in Frankfurt, Germany, for a joint continuous-improvement methodology built on regular performance reviews across the air cargo supply chain.

The event brought together multiple organizations to present projects tackling a range of topics across the air cargo industry. The Avianca-Kuehne+Nagel entry stood out among them. Their project showed how routine performance reviews surface improvement opportunities and convert them into concrete actions that lift operational performance and customer service.

What does the methodology actually measure?

The approach tracks two aspects of the Cargo iQ standard. The first is coverage, which verifies that messages reporting each operational milestone are actually sent. The second is performance, which measures whether those milestones are completed within planned timeframes. Tackle both, and you get a more accurate picture of shipment progress — plus a clear read on which processes need attention.

In practice, the two companies run regular reviews, align their data, and track improvement initiatives to completion. Digital tools, trend analysis, and standardized operational processes support the work. The goal is narrow and practical: identify the causes of deviations, assign responsibility, and implement corrective action.

Avianca Cargo CEO Diogo Elias tied the win directly to service outcomes. "We want every improvement in our operation to translate into better service for our customers," he said. "Working alongside Kuehne+Nagel allows us to identify where we can be more efficient and take coordinated action to achieve that. This recognition encourages us to continue strengthening our operational reliability and the quality of the information we provide, so our customers can plan and make decisions with greater confidence."

How did the jury decide?

The project won across the jury's three criteria: the quality of the presentation, how clearly the lessons learned were articulated, and the relevance of the improvement — including its potential impact across the wider industry and its viability for implementation.

Marie Seco-Koeppen, Executive Director of Cargo iQ, praised the discipline behind the result. "Congratulations to the Avianca and Kuehne+Nagel teams for winning the Frankfurt Round," she said. "Their results show that the value of a standard lies not in defining it, but in using it in a disciplined manner."

Why it matters for shippers and forwarders

For shippers and freight forwarders, the commercial payoff is information quality. Reliable, timely shipment data supports planning and helps manage disruptions when things go wrong. Tracking compliance with operational milestones also builds confidence when choosing an airline to move goods — a factor that increasingly separates carriers in a market where visibility is treated as a product, not a courtesy.

The partnership also feeds a broader commercial framework. The joint effort contributes to Kuehne+Nagel's Global Partnership Agreement (GPA), specifically its Data Quality Program, and both teams say the collaboration strengthens their global relationship while meeting the standards Kuehne+Nagel expects of its global airline partners.

Holger Ketz, Global Head of Air Logistics Network & Carrier Management at Kuehne+Nagel, framed the award as evidence of the wider tie-up. "This recognition reflects the strength of our partnership with Avianca Cargo and our shared commitment to continuous improvement," he said. "Through our Preferred Partner Program, we work closely together to enhance data quality, operational performance, and shipment visibility, helping us deliver a more reliable experience for customers while supporting higher standards across the air cargo industry."

The methodology turns performance monitoring from a scoreboard into an ongoing improvement loop, according to the two companies. The stated result: more efficient operations, greater shipment visibility, and a more coordinated response to customer needs — a model Cargo iQ clearly wants other members to replicate.