DP World announced that it has obtained certification from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for its freight forwarding operations in Mexico City , an accreditation that will allow it to directly operate air freight services in a context marked by the growth of nearshoring (relocation of production lines) and the increasing integration of supply chains in North America.

The certification enables the company to market air cargo transport without intermediaries, issue air waybills as an accredited agent, operate directly with airlines, and access the IATA Cargo Account Settlement System (CASS) . This expands the company’s capabilities as part of a strategy aimed at strengthening logistical connectivity between Mexico, the United States, and other international markets.

The accreditation comes at a time when regional supply chains are undergoing a transformation driven by the relocation of manufacturing processes to Mexico . This phenomenon has increased cross-border trade flows and, at the same time, put pressure on the available logistics infrastructure, particularly at major border crossings.

According to data cited by the company from the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) , the Laredo land port accounted for 38.8% of all truck crossings from Mexico during 2025, a figure that reflects the high level of concentration of commercial operations and the challenges associated with the mobility of goods between the two countries.

Given this scenario, diversifying logistics options and integrating different modes of transport have become increasingly important for companies participating in regional supply chains. In this regard, air transport has become an alternative for certain cargo segments that require greater speed or operational flexibility.

The certification also contributes to DP World’s expansion in Mexico. The company currently has a presence in Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Querétaro, and Ciudad Juárez , where it operates five freight forwarding offices and four warehousing facilities with a combined area exceeding 55,000 square meters.

Within this strategy, the recent launch of a multi-client warehouse in Querétaro stands out , an entity that has consolidated itself as one of the main manufacturing and logistics hubs in the country due to its strategic location and the concentration of export-oriented industries.

Terry Donohoe, CEO of DP World in Mexico , noted that the certification strengthens the company’s operational capacity to meet the country’s air cargo needs. “Mexico is a key gateway for trade, and the IATA certification in Mexico City strengthens our ability to offer customers faster, better-connected, and compliant air cargo solutions,” he stated.

The accreditation obtained in the Mexican capital is part of a regional network of 17 IATA-certified offices that DP World operates in 10 countries across the Americas, including the United States, Canada, Panama, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Peru.

The company also reported that it is working to extend this certification to its operations in Monterrey and Guadalajara, in line with a strategy aimed at strengthening its air cargo transport capabilities and expanding the logistics alternatives available for the movement of goods within and outside the country.

Obtaining IATA certification reflects the growing importance of air transport within logistics schemes linked to nearshoring , a process that continues to drive investments in infrastructure, storage, and specialized services to meet the demand resulting from the productive integration between Mexico and the United States.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn:  @GrupoT21

El cargo DP World obtains IATA approval for air cargo in Mexico apareció primero en T21.