What is the purpose of the IATA code?

IATA Codes are an integral part of the travel industry and essential for the identification of an airline, its destinations and its traffic documents.



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Most importantly, IATA provides a powerful, unified and experienced voice that supports and promotes the interests of its members through:
  • International recognition and lobbying.
  • Targeting key industry priorities.
  • Driving industry change.
  • Reducing costs.
  • Communication campaigns.
  • Training and other services.


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IATA has a complete range of services to enable travel agencies to thrive, whatever your size or business model: Simplify and improve your relationships with airlines, to better serve travel customers. Increase efficiency through streamlined operations, to keep costs down.

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Being IATA-certified, travel agencies can issue airline tickets on behalf of airlines. This is the main advantage that eliminates the need for other middlemen, simplifies booking processes, and cuts expenses for both agents and airlines.

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Membership of IATA amounts to some 300 airlines in 120 countries. On this page, you will find a selection of critical IATA programs, policies, and services to support airlines.

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IATA training is required for all persons who transport dangerous goods according to IATA DGR 1.5. The IATA training rules officially are recommendatory for all but aircraft operator employees.

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Every official airport in the world is given a three-letter code from IATA and a four-letter code from ICAO – from one of the world's largest airports, Dammam/King Fahd International Airport (ICAO: OEDF, IATA: DMM) in Saudi Arabia, to one of the smallest, Saba/Juancho E.

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IATA is considered to be one of the most basic resources for a travel agent because most airline bookings are done through the IATA portal. In order to book from IATA, the travel agent must get registered with IATA as an IATA travel agent.

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Since the code contains only three letters, the possible combinations are limited and consequently the IATA codes are not unique in some cases, with the same code used to designate two different airports.

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IATA assigns a unique two-character code (Airline Designator Code) to all airlines – even the ones that aren't IATA members. It consists of 2 letters or a letter and a digit. For example, AA stands for American Airlines, KL for KLM, 7S for Ryan Air, etc.

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Unfortunately it is true that two airlines can have the same IATA code. The airlines are generally in different regions. But it does happen since there are only a limited number of two-letter codes available.

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IATA is a trade association that represents its airlines around the world. Initially founded by 57 carriers, it now has some 300 member airlines from 120 countries. ICAO, on the other hand, is a specialized organization that is part of the United Nations with 193 members, with its headquarters in Montreal, Canada.

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The IATA/IATAN ID Card is the preferred means of recognition of travel professionals by the Industry. In order to assist industry suppliers in the management, distribution, and control of their industry concessions; the ID Card is often used to safely and efficiently verify a bona fide IATA travel agent via CheckACode.

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The X in LAX
With the rapid growth in the aviation industry, in 1947, the identifiers expanded to three letters and LA received an extra letter to become LAX. The letter X does not otherwise have any specific meaning in this identifier.

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A travel agent can keep things organized, negotiate with services and personally work out any complications that may arise. Rather than trying to reserve rooms in the same hotels and seats on the same flights with multiple credit cards and names, let a travel agent do that work.

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