Overview
ISO 10254:2025 - "Air cargo and ground equipment - Vocabulary" is an international standard that defines terms and definitions used in the air cargo and aircraft ground equipment domain. The third edition (2025) updates and expands the vocabulary to ensure uniform understanding across regulations, technical documentation, manuals and standards for air cargo handling and airport ground support equipment (GSE).
Key facts:
- Standard reference: ISO 10254:2025
- Scope: terminology for air cargo, aircraft unit load devices (ULD), cargo compartments and ground equipment
- Structure: General terms; Terms related to air cargo; Terms related to ground equipment
- No normative references; intended as a reference vocabulary for other documents
Key technical topics and requirements
ISO 10254:2025 does not prescribe performance specs but standardizes terminology that underpin technical requirements and certification processes. Notable topics covered include:
- Unit Load Devices (ULDs): definitions for aircraft container, aircraft pallet, aircraft unit load device and related items (pallet nets, collapsible containers, corner fittings).
- Airworthiness and certification: terms such as airworthiness approval, certification and certified/approved status are defined; ISO 8097 and ISO 21100 are referenced for ULD airworthiness technical requirements.
- Cargo types and space: definitions for air cargo, freight, baggage, bulk cargo, bulk compartments, bays, compartments and cube utilization.
- Structural and handling terms: design gross weight, design load, centre of gravity (CG), clearance, contour and deflection.
- Ground support equipment vocabulary: updated and new definitions for PCA (pre-conditioned air), bulk cargo trailer, cleaning truck, oxygen unit, pit system, weighbridge and broader ground handling terminology.
- Safety-related concepts: clear definition of dangerous goods and special cargo to support consistent regulatory and operational use.
Practical applications and who uses it
ISO 10254:2025 is primarily a reference vocabulary used to:
- Harmonize technical documentation, manuals and contracts across airlines, ground handlers and airports
- Support manufacturers of GSE and ULDs in producing compliant specifications and installation guidance
- Aid regulators and certification bodies when creating rules, guidance and airworthiness approvals
- Improve clarity in logistics, cargo handling procedures, training materials and interoperability between systems
- Help standards writers and quality teams maintain consistent terminology in procurement and maintenance documents
Typical users: airlines, airport operators, ground handling companies, ULD and GSE manufacturers, civil aviation authorities, freight forwarders and technical authors.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 10254:2025, air cargo vocabulary, aircraft ground equipment, ULD, unit load device, airworthiness approval, airport ground support equipment, cargo handling terminology.
