What is the full form of IATA?

Introduction

International Air Transport Association (IATA) is an International trade alliance of around 300 global airlines from 120 countries.” It was founded in “Havana, Cuba” in “April 1945”.

IATA was established with a mission to develop safe, secure, sustainable air transportation. It is headed currently by “Willie Walsh” since “March 2021”. It has existence in around 56 cities in 53 countries. “Its head office is situated in Montreal, Canada and its Executive office is in Geneva, Switzerland”.

History

“International Air Traffic Association” was first established in 1919 in “Hague Netherland”. It was substituted by “IATA (International Air Transport Association)”.

• It started with 57 airlines from 31 countries which have now reached 303 airlines from 123 countries.

• Earlier it worked on technical areas and provided support to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

• During a conference, there was a concern about the economic growth of the industry and in 1940 IATA aimed to fix the operational cost of airlines at reasonable profits.

• In 1947 when most of the airlines were at a loss, IATA during the Rio de Janeiro conference presented 200 resolutions for establishing a static constitution for international transportation.

Services and Functions

“The aim of establishing IATA was to serve and head the international air transport industry. IATA is operating to figure out a safe, sustainable and secure air transport industry to connect and embellish the world”.

• The goal of IATA is to recognise the air transport industry and enhance the benefits of air transport for the development of national and international economies.

• Its work is to regulate international traffic and confront obstructive rules and regulations.

• It aims to develop commercial standards for global air transport by simplifying the procedure, by making it cost-friendly and efficient.

• It assists air industries with a wide range of products and services for safety and security.

Membership and Governance

International Air Transport Association is a member of 303 airlines in 123 countries which is around 83% of total air traffic. It is the world’s key passenger and cargo air industry.

• The head of IATA is Director General and CEO who leads all the board members and managing committees. The current DG and CEO of IATA is “Willie Walsh since March 2021”.

• IATA consists of a General Meeting and Executive Committee which is known as the “Board of Governors”.

• “The Board of Governors are the legislative body of the International Air Transport Association”.

• The board of governor's decisions are implemented by the executive committee which supervises the day-to-day activities of IATA.

• This board of governors is assisted by nine advisory councils. Its members are from each region of IATA like “Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, Pacific, Caribbean and the Middle East”.

• A Traffic conference is also held for the development of standards, and maintaining relationships among IATA Members.

Conclusion

“IATA (International Air Transport Association)” is the international trade association of airlines. It is responsible for all the rules and regulations related to air traffic, and other services. Its services include financing, trading, management, Airfare, capacity management, safety and security. It is also responsible for air traffic management, Routes, prices, conferences and communication campaigns, etc. It also provides training and management services to its members. It has also assisted airlines in improving climate and mitigating carbon emissions from air transportation.

FAQs

Q1. What are the criteria for membership in IATA?

Ans: IATA is an international trade for air transportation association whose membership is quite beneficial for any airline. Membership in IATA is given by filling IATA Operational Safety Audit registration.

• After successful registration, and submitting documents and fees.

• The airline has to submit a six months certificate of Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) with operational specifications, along with an audited financial statement, annual report of the company’s profile, and airline scheduled and non-scheduled operations.

Q2. What are the activities and programs run by IATA?

Ans: The activities and programs run by IATA are as follows;

• IATA set air industry rules and standards for the air industry concerning the global market.

• It facilitates the smooth and efficient movement of passenger and cargo planes globally.

• It runs Training and certification courses with its regional training partners for classroom training.

Q3. What is CORSIA?

Ans: “CORSIA” is a global neutralising scheme for global aviation for reducing carbon dioxide emissions caused by the aviation industry. It stands for “Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation”. “The scheme was adopted in 2016 by members of the International civil aviation Organization for measuring aviation emissions”.

• The IATA is predicting to reduce carbon emissions by 2.5 billion tonnes between 2021 to 2035.

• The average target of CO2 emission will be 165 million tonnes.

• It is applied to airlines that fall under the UN agency and members of the Paris Climate Agreement.