ATC Handbook - IATA

IATA Authorized Training Center (ATC) Handbook
1. Introduction
1.1 International Air Transport Association (IATA)
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) was founded in 1945 and is the trade
association of more than 240 airlines, including the world’s largest. Flights by the Member
airlines comprise more than 84% of all international scheduled air traffic.
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 air transport services. IATA is the prime
facilitator for inter-airline co-operation in promoting safe, reliable, secure and economical air
services for the benefit of the world’s consumers.
IATA’s head office is in Montreal (Quebec, Canada) and its executive office is in Geneva
(Switzerland). IATA also has regional offices around the world. For a list of IATA’s regional
offices, please refer to the IATA website at http://www.iata.org/about/offices.
1.2 IATA Training and Development Institute (ITDI)
The IATA Training and Development Institute, or “ITDI”, is a division of IATA and a leading
source of international training and professional development serving all sectors of the
transportation industry: airlines, airports, aviation security, air navigation services, cargo, civil
aviation and travel & tourism.
Drawing on the expertise of internationally recognized practitioners, including IATA and
member organization experts, ITDI develops and maintains an extensive portfolio of travel
industry training and professional development programs and courses leading to internationally
recognized certificates or diplomas.
The IATA diplomas and certificates guarantee high standards of training and have gained
worldwide recognition and acceptance as a quality product by the world’s airlines and industry
associations. These are important qualifications for anyone wishing to upgrade his/her
professional competence or start a career in the travel, cargo or aviation industry.
Among ITDI’s training activities are five major distance learning programs: the IATA
International Travel and Tourism Training Program which is partly offered in partnership with
the United Federation of Travel Agents Association (UFTAA), the IATA International Cargo
Training Program, the IATA International Aviation Training Program, the IATA Leadership &
Management Training Program offered in partnership with Harvard Business Publishing School
and the Stanford - IATA Aviation Management Training Program offered in partnership with
Stanford.
1.3 IATA Authorized Training Centers (ATC)
While the ability to study independently at home is for some a necessary condition for
improving their knowledge and skills, ITDI recognizes that independent study does not suit all
students. Partnerships are therefore an essential element of ITDI’s strategy to help individuals
around the world develop their potential in key areas.
IATA Authorized Training Centers (ATC) are specialized training institutions that are authorized
by IATA to teach one or more of the IATA course(s). The ATC may provide Authorized Courses
in their classrooms. Authorization to teach these courses is granted based on demonstrated
instructional expertise in the courses of interest, as well as the institution’s overall ability to
provide quality training. While ATCs recruit and train students for IATA programs, examinations
Section 1 – Introduction 1-1