The International Air Transport Association (IATA /a?'??t?/) is a trade association of the world's airlines founded in 1945. IATA has been described as a cartel since, in addition to setting technical standards for airlines, IATA also organized tariff conferences that served as a forum for price fixing.

Yes, IATA (International Air Transport Association) is a private, non-governmental international trade organization that represents, leads, and serves the airline industry. Founded in 1945, it currently represents approximately 330 airlines, comprising over 80% of total air traffic. IATA is responsible for setting global standards for airline safety, security, efficiency, and sustainability. You likely recognize their influence through "IATA codes"—the three-letter identifiers for airports (like JFK or LHR) and two-letter codes for airlines (like DL for Delta). They also manage the Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP), which facilitates the flow of billions of dollars between travel agents and airlines. While they are not a government regulator like the FAA or EASA, their "Operational Safety Audit" (IOSA) is a mandatory benchmark for any airline wanting to be a member.