Is the Certificate in Air Cargo and Logistics Management an IATA qualification?

No. It is an independent HICL certificate that introduces IATA-aligned cargo concepts. If you specifically need an IATA-issued certificate — for example for a dangerous-goods regulations role — you will need to take that exam in addition. This certificate prepares the groundwork well.

Will this certificate help me get a job at a freight forwarder?

Many junior roles at freight forwarders, ground handlers and e-commerce logistics operators value structured introductory training of this kind, especially for candidates without prior industry experience. Hiring also depends on local labour markets, language skills and your willingness to start in operations.

Does this certificate cover sea and road freight too?

Yes — although the emphasis is on air cargo, the integrated logistics portion of the certificate introduces multimodal concepts including sea, road and rail interfaces, incoterms and customs basics. That breadth is intentional because most modern supply chains use more than one mode.

How long does it take to finish the certificate?

Typically a few months of focused study, depending on mode and intake. The admissions team confirms the exact calendar at enrolment.

Tuition varies by study mode and student category. Use Enroll Now to ask admissions for the current schedule.

Certificate in Air Cargo and Logistics Management | HICL | Harold International College of London

Certificate in Air Cargo and Logistics Management at HICL

Air freight is the unglamorous backbone of global commerce. Pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, fashion samples, perishables — they all move through cargo terminals and bonded warehouses on a tight clock. The Certificate in Air Cargo and Logistics Management is a starter qualification for people who want to work in that world, whether as cargo agents, forwarders, terminal operators or logistics coordinators for shippers.

It is deliberately broad. You learn the air cargo side — IATA cargo basics, ULDs, AWB documentation, dangerous goods awareness — and the integrated logistics side: incoterms, multimodal transfers, customs basics and the role of freight forwarders.

What makes air cargo different from passenger aviation

Passenger aviation is fundamentally a customer-experience business with safety constraints. Cargo is a documentation and constraint-management business with safety constraints. The Certificate in Air Cargo and Logistics Management focuses on the documents (air waybill, house and master AWBs, security declarations), the constraints (volumetric vs gross weight, dangerous-goods restrictions, lane-by-lane regulations) and the time-critical handover between modes — truck to terminal to aircraft and back again.

Who This Certificate Is For

School leavers and career changers wanting an entry point into freight and logistics.
Junior staff at freight forwarders, ground-handling agents or e-commerce fulfilment operators.
Customer-service staff at airlines moving towards cargo-side roles.
Anyone planning to work in customs brokerage, bonded warehousing or import/export administration.

Where graduates of this certificate go

Holders of the Certificate in Air Cargo and Logistics Management often start in roles such as cargo agent, forwarder operations assistant, customs documentation clerk, terminal operations support or e-commerce logistics coordinator. Many use the certificate as a launchpad and follow it with a diploma or higher diploma once they have some operational experience to anchor the theory.

How the programme is delivered

HICL supports on-campus and online study. Module structure and intake dates are confirmed at enrolment. Assessment typically involves practical documentation exercises (such as drafting AWBs or solving routing scenarios) and short written assignments.

Entry Requirements

Secondary education completed.
IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) for non-native English speakers.
Minimum age 17.
No prior logistics experience required.

Apply for the Certificate in Air Cargo and Logistics Management

If freight and logistics are where you want to build a career, click Enroll Now. Our admissions team will reply within one working day with everything you need for your chosen intake of the Certificate in Air Cargo and Logistics Management.