The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is a trade association that represents over 260 airlines comprising over 83% of total air traffic. IATA establishes industry standards, ensures safety and security, and helps resolve issues between airlines and customers. While IATA cannot directly intervene in disputes, it advocates for consistent passenger rights policies and develops standards to regulate the industry and ensure quality service.

1. NOTE ON:INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT
ASSOCIATION
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is the global trade association for the world’s
airlines. Its mission is to lead and serve its members, as well as to represent their interests in a way
that boosts the airport transport industry.
 What are some Key facts about IATA?
1. It represents around 260 airlines or 83% of total air traffic.
2. It has global reach.
3. Flights by IATA members represent 83% of total traffic.
4. It was founded in Havana, Cuba, in April 1945.
5. It had 57 members from 31 nations, mostly in Europe and North America when it was first
established in 1945. Today it has some 260 members from 117 nations in every part of the
globe.
6. Its priorities include safety, security, environment, services, simplifying the business and
helping to build relationships within the industry.
7. IATA’s Billing and Settlement Plan serves as the financial backbone of the industry by
managing the flow of the over $270 billion generated annually by travel agent ticket sales
to airlines.
 What is International Air Transport Association profile like?
IATA is a globally recognized trade association for airlines and has been operating for more than
50 years. Its members include both freight and passenger carriers and it has offices in 53 countries
around the world.
It has grown alongside the air travel industry, working in conjunction with the sector to help
develop standards, practices and procedures to regulate it and ensure consistent levels of service
for customers. The IATA is a truly global organization and its 260 members come from more than
117 nations.
Apart from consumer protection, the IATA has been involved in helping the airline industry
become more sustainable. The organization offers information on airlines, a range of publications
and training programs and accreditation for those working in the travel industry. In addition, it
supplies a range of financial services, such as a debt collection service for airlines.

2.  What are the Criteria for IATA membership?
IATA Membership with full rights and privileges may only be obtained after IATA Operational
Safety Audit (IOSA) registration, An administrative review by the Membership Department,
Payment of all application fees and membership dues.
Successful completion of an IOSA will result in addition to the IOSA registry. An airline must be
on the IOSA registry before IATA Membership can be approved.
- After this, an application form is submitted with the following supporting documents:
 A certified copy of the Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), valid for a minimum of six months,
with ORIGINAL Stamp, date and signature from the issuing Authority (not a notary),
together with the Operational Specifications issued by the State of Registry, if applicable.
 A certified copy of the Certificate of Registration with appropriate authority e.g. Chamber
of Commerce or equivalent. Certification by a notary is acceptable.
 Audited Financial Statements for the applicant airline, and if majority owned by another
company (including state ownership), the financial statements of the owner company. These
must be certified by a chartered or public accountant. For new airlines, a business plan
prepared by a chartered or public account is acceptable.
 The Annual Report of the applicant airline, or company by-laws showing how it is
constituted, or airline profile.
 Valid insurance certificates with aircraft type, registration number for each aircraft and
respective details of registering authority, valid for a minimum of six months.
 Traffic statistics for the preceding two years. This requirement does not apply to new
airlines.
 Published timetable/schedule, if the airline has scheduled operations. For non-scheduled
operations, a list of destinations is requested.
 What is the importance of International Air Transport
Association?
IATA appears on most major airline websites (often via an identifying IATA code) and also has
its own Wikipedia page.
Its importance as a trade association is obvious, as is the involvement it has had in developing
certain industry standards for the airlines sector. The fact that its members are responsible for
upwards of 90% of the world’s scheduled airline traffic is a point that is made frequently. Online
articles about the airline industry often mention IATA and its involvement in deciding key issues

3. and making important suggestions, such as regulating the size of luggage destined for overhead
bins.
IATA is mentioned in numerous contexts, from project management partnership, to EU regulation.
Given the frequency and breadth of news reports mentioning IATA it is clearly an active and
prominent trade association.
 Spice Jet and Indigo airlines have recently joined the IATA.
 What is the role of International Air Transport Association?
IATA is a glorified accreditation given to all those airline organizations that become a part of it.
An IATA accreditation to an airline organization inculcates a sense of safety, financial stability
and quality in the minds of the customers.
When asked what exactly the IATA brings to the airline industry, they replied with;
“We all know how frustrating it can be when something goes wrong with your flight. The
complexity and inconsistency in passenger rights does not make it easier. We have been
campaigning for all governments to apply the same core principles on passenger rights, that
have been endorsed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
These include the right to care and assistance in the case of delays and rerouting, and to refunds
or other compensation in the case of cancellations, where the circumstances are within an
airline’s control. It would be unfair, for example, to hold airlines financially accountable for
delays related to air traffic control, poor weather, or airport employees strikes, that may cause
flight disruptions and cancellations.”
 A frequently asked question to the IATA was this;
Q. Can IATA help me with my airline/travel agency complaint?
Ans. “While we serve the airline industry, we are not a regulatory body, and cannot intervene in
service disputes or other commercial matters involving airlines or agents and their customers.
For any issue, we recommend approaching the customer service of the respective airline or agent
directly.”
The IATA website providesfor acustomercall centerand portal,but the IATA doesnotinvolve itself
withmattersbetweenthe Travel Agencyanditscustomers.
AggrievedcustomersmustconsulttheirownNational CivilAviationAuthority.