For nearly 80 years, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has served the airline industry. Their goal is to improve safety standards and ensure the sustainability of air transport. If you plan on transporting dangerous materials, IATA sets the standards for safe shipping with its Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR), a manual updated every year to ensure the highest safety protocols.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- The Beginnings of IATA
- IATA Members
- IATA’s Strategic Agenda in the Future
- Earn Your IATA Certification at Hazmat School
The Beginnings of IATA
On April 19, 1945, the International Air Transport Association was founded to promote safe and economical air transport to the peoples of the world. One of their most significant roles in the early days was to promote the work of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to ensure the highest safety standards for flight.
IATA organized the first global Traffic Conference in 1947, which established almost 400 resolutions that are still reflected in today’s air transport policies, including interline traffic agreements to promote airline cooperation.
Between 1950 and 1970, air travel and transport became a public utility. IATA worked to help develop technical advancements while controlling fare rates.
In 1956, IATA published the first version of the DGR, called the IATA Restricted Articles Regulations. The ICAO formalized the subject in 1984 with the adoption of Annex 18, which outlined detailed instructions for the safe international transport of dangerous goods by air.
The end of the 20th century was marked by significant challenges — global economic upheavals, dramatic increases in fuel costs, terrorism and climate change. IATA’s leadership spearheaded initiatives to address long-term issues that could impact aviation’s viability, such as:
- Global safety standards
- Environmental concerns
- Air transport cost reduction
IATA Members
Any airline can become a member of the International Air Transport Association. When the organization was founded, there were only 57 IATA members from 31 countries. Today, there are over 320 global members from 120 nations — and this number grows each year.
IATA’s Strategic Agenda in the Future
IATA continues to guide and shape the future of air travel and air shipping policies. Today, IATA focuses on three major strategic points:
- Digital transformation: Transforming aspirational ideas into applicable solutions for industry-wide challenges.
- Sustainability: Improving sustainability through environmental best practices.
- Government partnerships: Continued advocacy for the interest of airlines across the globe and challenging unreasonable rules and charges.
Earn Your IATA Certification at Hazmat School
If your employment requires you to ship dangerous goods by air, you will need a specialized certification that shows you understand IATA regulations as laid out in the DGR. Hazmat School offers a convenient online certification that focuses on real-world applications and teaches all the regulations for shipping hazardous materials by air.
Learn more about our online IATA training course and certification process.
Manages Hazmat School’s E-Learning courses and blog. Kirstie has extensive experience in the online training and education industry. Kirstie has worked with courses that offer a variety of safety and environmental certifications that satisfy OSHA, EPA and DOT requirements.
