Role of IATA (The International Air Transport Association)

IATA stands for the International Air Transport Association and is the official trade organization for the world’s airlines (more than 85 participating nations).For air carriers, IATA provides a polled resource for scheduling, traffic and routes, standardizing services and the creation of a worldwide public service for the air industry.

For consumers, IATA sets the international standard for services and business practices amongst member airlines. As an example, the three-digit airport codes used internationally are an IATA convention. Additionally, IATA aims to achieve the following mandate:

• To promote safe, regular and economic air transport
• To foster air commerce
• To study problems connected with airline industry
• To provide a means of collaborating between air transport companies and agencies
• To co-operate with other international air transportation organizations Essentially, IATA is airlines working together to standardize and improve service internationally Due to the vital role played by IATA in air transportation issues, it is recommended that you ensure that your carrier/forwarder is an IATA agent.