What does the airline abbreviation IATA stand for?

IATA stands for International Air Transport Association. It is a global trade association for airlines, founded in Havana, Cuba, in April 1945.

IATA represents airlines and develops industry standards that support passenger and cargo transportation. Its work includes ticketing and settlement systems, airline codes, baggage practices, dangerous-goods guidance, and operational coordination. The association’s standards help different airlines and travel companies work together across national borders.

IATA should not be confused with ICAO, the International Civil Aviation Organization. ICAO is a United Nations specialized agency that sets international civil-aviation standards for states and governments. IATA is an industry association whose members are primarily airlines. The two organizations cooperate, but they have different roles and legal identities.