Introduction to the Airline Industry in a Changing World (partner-taught or self-study)

Did you know that in the past 5 years, 110 participants from 28 countries have taken this course with IATA?

40-45 hour partner-taught or self-study course

This self-study course is for you if you are planning to join the airline industry or have recently joined. You are looking for a full overview of the industry, especially given the changes that have had a tremendous impact on aviation. This course discusses in detail the scope and structure of the aviation industry, including the impact of COVID, deregulation, Low Cost Carriers (LCC's) and more. This course will take you on a tour of airports and their services and discuss how the industry adopts governmental and regulatory standardized practices to ensure consistent safety and security worldwide. You will also discover how airlines adapt to the socio-economic, environmental, industrial, and technical changes that impact the airline industry as a whole.

Course code: TALG-50

Course format

• This is a partner-taught or self-study course, which will take you approximately 40-45 hours to complete, depending on your previous knowledge and experience.
• The course materials are provided in e-book format.
• You will have 12 months to complete the course and exam (enrollment validity), which starts from the date you purchase the course.
• The recommended level for this course is Entry-level and Intermediate.
• Performance will be based on an examination. Please refer to the Exam Information below for more details.

Please note: Once you have completed the exam you will no longer have access to the course material, and after the 12-month enrollment validity expires you will no longer have access to the course content, nor will you be able to take the exam.

Study with the help of an Instructor

If you would prefer to study this course with the help of a local trainer, enrol at an IATA Authorized Training Center near you.

Registration information

• Please refer to our payment methods and applicable taxes.
• When you click to purchase the course, you will be directed to log in to your Training Profile through our Customer Portal.
• Are you purchasing the course for several people at once? Please find out how on our Payment page.

Upon completing this course you will have the skills to:

• Describe the airline industry today in its regulatory and business context
• Explain how airlines, ANSPs and airports operate
• Describe the duties and responsibilities of key airline personnel
• Discuss how airlines adapt to the socio-economic,
• environmental, industrial and technical changes
• Explain safety and security issues affecting the aviation industry
• Discuss challenges and opportunities affecting the aviation industry

The key topics that are covered during this course include:

• Airport infrastructure
• Airline business models
• Technological changes, e-services and processes
• Government and industry agencies
• Digital and COVID impacts
• Economic and social impacts

This course is recommended for:

• Entry-level airline industry staff
• Newcomers to the airline industry

An IATA Certificate of Completion is awarded to participants successfully passing the final exam.

Exam information

Please read the information about Online Exams with Remote Supervision (OERS), and check the Course Edition List for Exams (pdf) when booking your exam.

• Method: Online exam with remote supervision (OERS)
• Format: 100 multiple-choice questions. Closed course book exam.
• Time Allowance: 3 hours
• Passing Grade: 60% correct answers
• Distinction Grade: 90% correct answers
• Number of exam attempts: 2