IATA was founded in Havana, Cuba, on 19 April 1945. It is the prime vehicle for inter-airline cooperation in promoting safe, reliable, secure, and economical air services - for the benefit of the world's consumers. The international scheduled air transport industry is more than 100 times larger than it was in 1945.
Few industries can match the dynamism of that growth, which would have been much less spectacular without the standards, practices, and procedures developed within IATA.
At its founding, IATA had 57 members from 31 nations, mostly in Europe and North America. Today we have over 360 members from 120 nations in every part of the globe.
The modern IATA is the successor to the International Air Traffic Association founded in the Hague in 1919 - the year of the world's first international scheduled services. We are the global trade association for airlines, and we set worldwide standards for safety, security and financial systems, while advocating for policies that support sustainable growth and driving initiatives in innovation, environment, and inclusion.
History episodes from the start
> Growth and development
> A two tier IATA
> From a new trade association to a new strategic thrust
> Ensuring the viability of air transport
> A force for good
> The business of freedom
Portraits of IATA past leaders
IATA Heritage Collection
The IATA Heritage Collection preserves the rich story of global aviation through a unique archive of historical artifacts. From early paper tickets and rare publications to photographs and memorabilia, the collection offers a tangible testimony of IATA’s journey since 1945.