Compassionate Transportation Manual (CTM)

What's inside the CTM

• Up-to-date government requirements pertaining to the transport of human remains
• Requirements on packing, handling, marking and labeling
• Information on the necessary documentation needed when transporting human remains
• Special shipping guidelines for infectious human remains
• Guidelines for the air transportation of human remains in reference to the Industry Master Operating Plan (MOP) and IATA CSC Recommended Practice 1683

Stay up-to-date

Significant Changes to the 4h edition (2024) of the IATA Compassionate Transportation Manual (CTM) include:

• Updated State and Operator information, which is critically important to ensure transport requirements for human remains are clear, to avoid delays and offloading.
• Reviewed CTM checklist, to ensure it aids all parties in the compassionate transportation supply chain, providing a smooth and efficient transit for these sensitive shipments.
• New content has been added, focusing on sustainability, electronic data exchange programs, and recommendations for implementing competency-based training requirements.  
  • Sustainability is a priority for IATA. The purpose of this new section is to provide air cargo stakeholders in the compassionate transportation supply chain with basic awareness about sustainability concerns, as well as the current industry priorities and recommendations.
  • Trained staff are vital in ensuring all those involved in the transportation of human remains have the required competencies and associated level of proficiencies. In Edition 4 we have included recommendations on how to design and develop an efficient training and assessment program, such as how to develop a Training Assessment Plan, monitor Instructor Competencies, and the suggested Retention Period of Training Records, to provide more guidance to all our stakeholders.