International Air Transport Association (IATA)

International Air Transport Association (IATA)

It is an organization of the worlds scheduled international airlines. IATA promotes safe, regular and economical air transport for the benefits of the people of the world. IATA was founded in 1945 A.D and altogether it has the 277 members. Its major activities are centered in Geneva and Montreal. Membership of IATA is an open to all scheduled airlines of the world. Currently, IATA has assumed the role of advice and consultant to airlines industry and provide them a forum where airlines can discuss their common problmes of levging taxes by their respective government fee and charges of airports, conjuctin at airports, hike in flue price and other such issues which affect their direct aand indirect operating cost. On behalf of airlines IATA has represented successfully for the cause of its member airlines, which has saved airlines around 50 millions US Dollars on fuel prices and approximately 100 milliom airport fees and charges annually. IATA also conducts various kinds of trainings which help airlines develop professionalism and provide airlines various kinds of financial services through its specialized agencies. However, it is not necessary for domestic or international airlines of Nepal to became member of IATA in the present deregulated and liberalized environment.

Objectives of IATA:

The main objectives of IATA as per the Articles of the assosication of IATA are:

1. To promote safe, regular and commercial air transport for the benefits of the people of the world, to foster air commerce and to study the problems connected therewith.
2. To provide means foe collaboration among the air transport enterprises engaged directly or indirectly in international air transport services.
3. To cooperate with the international Civil Aviation Organization and other international organization.
4. To provide common platforms for travel agencies or tour operators.
5. To promote and develop international tourism.

Membership

There are three types of membership of IATA which are listed below:

1. Active Members
2. Associate Members
3. Allied Members

Explanations:

1. Active Members:

Any air transport enterprise which has been lincensed to operate a schedule air service under proper authority in the transport of passenger mail or cargo between the territories of two countries is eligible to become an active member of IATA.

2. Associate Members:

An associate member is open to any organization/enterprise operating in air transport under the flag of the state and eligible qualify, as member of ICAO is eligible to become associate member of the association.

3. Allied Members:

Allied members are those who after membership can deal with airlines tickets and can use IATA Logo for all purpose which can be a very beneficial thing for the members of IATA.

Organization Structure of IATA

1. Financial Committee
2. Legal Committee
3. Operational Activities
4. Traffic Activities/Conferences
5. Technical Committee

Explanation:

1. Financial Committee:

This committee deals with all the aspects of accounting settlements between airlines in the respect of business. Financial committee handles all the aspects of the accounting sectors and keep a clear details between an airlines in all the other respective business.

2. Legal Committee:

This committee deals with all legal matters regarding international air transport. Legal committee is very important for handeling the legal matters of air transport.

3. Operational Activities:

It deals with the constant and progress effort to simplify and standardize devices, produres and documentation with the airlines. Operational Activities keeps all the records as a documentation of the airlines activites.

4. Traffic Activities/Conferences:

It deals with the commercial activities of the airlines. This is concerned with facilitating interline arrangements, the standardization of forms, procedures, handling agreement etc.

5. Technical Committee:

This committee deals with the technical matter of the airlines. Everything that comes under the technical part of airlines is handled by technical committee. Therefore, it is one of the most important organizational structure of IATA.

Aims of IATA:

Some of the aims of IATA are listed below:

1. To provide safe, regular and economical air transport for the benefits of the peoples of the world to study the problems connected there with.
2. To provide means of collaboration among air transport enteerprises engaged directly or indirectly in International air transport service.
3. To corporate with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other international organizations.