Certification Overview
The AC-ACA® introduces participants to the complete air cargo operating environment, including the roles of airlines, airports, cargo terminal operators, freight forwarders, customs authorities, ground handling agents, express delivery companies, logistics providers, and international regulatory organizations.
Participants develop foundational knowledge of cargo acceptance, documentation, handling, storage, security screening, customs procedures, shipment coordination, warehouse operations, customer service, operational performance, and emerging digital technologies.
The certification provides a strong pathway for students, entry-level professionals, career changers, and logistics personnel seeking internationally relevant competencies in aviation logistics and air cargo operations. The AC-ACA® provides a practical and internationally relevant entry point into one of the most essential, dynamic, and technology-driven areas of global logistics.
Why Get Certified?
The global air cargo and aviation logistics industry is expanding rapidly as organizations respond to the growth of e-commerce, international trade, pharmaceutical distribution, humanitarian operations, express delivery, advanced manufacturing, and time-sensitive supply chains. Employers increasingly need professionals who understand how cargo moves safely, securely, efficiently, and compliantly through airports, airlines, freight forwarding networks, customs systems, and global distribution channels.
The American Certified Air Cargo Associate (AC-ACA)® provides participants with recognized foundational competencies that strengthen employability, professional credibility, operational readiness, and long-term career advancement within the global aviation and logistics sector.
Course Description
Air cargo is a critical component of the global logistics and transportation industry. It supports international trade, e-commerce fulfillment, humanitarian assistance, healthcare and pharmaceutical distribution, high-value manufacturing, perishables, express courier services, and time-sensitive supply chains. These operations require trained personnel who understand documentation, cargo handling, shipment coordination, safety, security, customer service, and regulatory compliance.
Participants gain practical knowledge of the complete air cargo lifecycle, beginning with shipment planning and cargo acceptance and continuing through documentation, packaging, labeling, cargo handling, warehouse storage, security screening, transportation, and final delivery.
The program also introduces participants to international aviation standards, dangerous goods awareness, operational performance measurement, customer service, sustainability, digital cargo systems, Artificial Intelligence, and automation.
The curriculum combines industry best practices, real-world operational scenarios, practical exercises, and globally relevant logistics concepts. Upon successful completion, participants will possess the foundational knowledge and professional confidence required to contribute to safe, secure, efficient, compliant, and customer-focused air cargo operations.
Course Learning Outcomes
LO1. Explain Air Cargo and Aviation Logistics Operations
Describe the structure, terminology, stakeholders, functions, and operational processes of international air cargo and aviation logistics systems.
LO2. Apply Cargo Acceptance and Handling Procedures
Explain the requirements for cargo acceptance, inspection, weighing, packaging, marking, labeling, storage, shipment preparation, loading support, unloading, and movement through airport cargo facilities.
LO3. Interpret Air Cargo and Customs Documentation
Interpret air waybills, cargo manifests, shipping instructions, commercial invoices, packing lists, customs documents, labels, and other records used in international air transportation.
LO4. Apply Aviation Safety, Security, and Dangerous Goods Principles
Recognize workplace safety procedures, aviation security requirements, cargo screening processes, chain-of-custody controls, dangerous goods classifications, hazard labels, and regulatory responsibilities.
LO5. Support Airport Cargo Terminal and Warehouse Operations
Explain cargo receiving, storage, inventory control, shipment staging, consolidation, unit load device preparation, cargo build-up, breakdown, transfer, and release procedures.
LO6. Support Freight Forwarding and Multimodal Transportation
Describe freight forwarding responsibilities, carrier coordination, route selection, shipment consolidation, customs support, multimodal transportation, and end-to-end cargo movement.
LO7. Coordinate Air Cargo Shipments and Customer Service
Support cargo booking, scheduling, routing, tracking, communication, documentation, delivery coordination, customer service, complaint resolution, and stakeholder engagement.
LO8. Evaluate Air Cargo Performance and Operational Efficiency
Interpret key performance indicators related to cargo throughput, shipment accuracy, warehouse productivity, turnaround time, delays, damage, service quality, and customer satisfaction.
LO9. Utilize Digital Air Cargo Technologies
Recognize and appropriately use cargo management systems, electronic air waybills, shipment tracking platforms, warehouse technologies, Artificial Intelligence, automation, RFID, IoT, predictive analytics, and digital reporting tools.
LO10. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Conduct
Apply integrity, accountability, confidentiality, regulatory compliance, effective communication, teamwork, environmental responsibility, workplace safety, customer focus, and continuous improvement principles.
AC-ACA® Virtual/Online Instructor-led 4-day Training
Select an instructor tab to view session details and full trainer profile.
Gleb Mikulich – AAPSCM® Executive Trainer | Supply Chain Strategist | Digital Transformation Leader
Gleb Mikulich is a seasoned professional with over a decade of expertise in supply chain, procurement, logistics, and digital transformation. He has collaborated with globally recognized organizations, including Accenture, Procter & Gamble (P&G), Pfizer, CNH Industrial, and Mediterranean Shipping Company, delivering impactful solutions across diverse industries.
- Industry-leading experience in Global Supply Chain Operations – Gleb has collaborated with top-tier industry leaders such as Accenture, Procter & Gamble, Pfizer, CNH, and Mediterranean Shipping Company, delivering measurable results in supply chain integration, procurement modernization, and performance optimization.
- Certified Supply Chain & Project Management Expert – Gleb holds industry-recognized credentials, including SCPro Certified (Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals), and additional certifications in Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, PMP, and PMI-ACP, showcasing his multidisciplinary expertise in process improvement, agile project leadership, and operational efficiency.
- Advanced Academic Credentials in Strategy & Digital Technologies – Gleb earned an MBA from IE Business School, with a concentration in strategy, operations, and digital technologies, and pursued advanced supply chain management training through MITx, equipping him with cutting-edge insights into global logistics, data-driven decision-making, and tech-enabled supply chains.
- Recognized Leader & Emerging Talent in the Field – Gleb is the recipient of the Young Professionals Emerging Leader Award from the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), and a lifetime member of Beta Gamma Sigma, a recognition of academic excellence and leadership in business education.
Dr. Jason Matyus – Advisory Board Executive Director, Training, Course Development, and Examination
Dr. Matyus is the Advisory Board Director for Course Development, Training, and Examination. Dr. Jason Matyus’s career spans many disciplines. Dr. Matyus started as a public school teacher. After leaving teaching he worked for 20 years as a business professional working for two Fortune 500 Companies. Within those 20 years, he had varying roles that touched Project Management, logistics and Supply Chain, Procurement, Corporate Trainer, and Leadership. After receiving his MBA in Leadership and Doctorate in Business Management, he spent the last 5 years in higher education. In addition to his work in business, he is also on the Board of Directors for Cornerstone Care and the Carmichaels Area School District Board of Education and currently serves on the Farmville Urban Development Board.
Séverine Boulard – AAPSCM® Executive Trainer
Séverine Boulard is an international HR consultant, trainer, and founder of HR Graff Consulting GmbH, Switzerland. With over 20 years of experience in global HR leadership roles across banking, finance, consulting, fintech, and high-growth international environments, she specializes in HR transformation, compliance, talent strategy, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness. She has led HR functions across multiple jurisdictions and is recognised for combining strategic expertise with practical, business-focused execution. Séverine delivers engaging training programs designed to translate complex HR topics into real-world leadership capability. She holds a European Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management and completed executive studies in HR Transformation through Cornell University. She trains in English, French, German, and Russian.
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