IATA
International Air Transport Association
Last updated: April 20, 2026 · Maintained by Aviatr Editorial Team
What is IATA?
IATA (International Air Transport Association) is a trade association of roughly 300 airlines representing about 80 percent of total world passenger and cargo traffic. Unlike ICAO, which sets safety standards, IATA coordinates commercial practices such as ticketing standards, cargo handling procedures, and the familiar three-letter airport codes (BER, LHR, CDG).
How is IATA used?
Pilots and crew see IATA codes on every boarding pass and cargo manifest, but the codes are not used in flight operations — ATC, flight plans, and charts all reference the four-letter ICAO code instead. IATA also runs safety and operational audits: the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification is a common requirement for airlines to operate as a codeshare partner on major networks. For new commercial pilots, IATA standards become relevant during type rating and line training, where dangerous goods handling, ground operations procedures, and passenger-service norms draw heavily on IATA Resolutions. Airline pilots generally never cite IATA in day-to-day flying, but the organisation shapes the commercial environment they operate in. Some IATA resolutions even feed back into ICAO as proposed amendments to Annexes, particularly where commercial practice diverges from the original standard. EASA exam candidates rarely see IATA questions, but airline interviews routinely probe understanding of IOSA audits.