Founded in 1945, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is a global vehicle for inter-airline cooperation that has over 230 members from 126 nations. IATA's goal is to promote safe, reliable, secure and economical air services. IATA conducts research and attempts to find ways to improve business and profitability of its member airlines while also studying the areas of safety and security. IATA is also involved to some extent in regulatory matters and lobbying. In addition, IATA has numerous other areas of activity including tourism, air cargo and air navigation services. Additional benefits to its members include access to its training courses and industry publications.
The International Civil Aviation Organization is a global aviation organization headquartered in Montreal, Canada. An agency of the United Nations (UN), ICAO is an organization that is instrumental in setting standards for the aviation industry. ICAO sets standards for a wide range of areas such as navigation and infrastructure, standards for air accident investigation and the rules of air commerce. ICAO's primary strategic objectives are safety, security, environmental protection and sustainable development. Individual companies are not members of ICAO. Instead, individual nations are signatory to the organization and agree to abide by ICAO standards.
Founded in 1936, the Air Transport Association of America (ATA) is the largest and primary aviation association for U.S. domestic airlines. The goal of ATA is to "foster a business and regulatory environment that ensures safe and secure air transportation and enables U.S. airlines to flourish and stimulating economic growth locally, nationally and internationally," according to its website. ATA's primary area is technical, legal and political, and ATA is heavily involved in lobbying to state and national governments. Members pay an annual fee and in return receive representation, industry networking, conference attendance, subscriptions to ATA publications and access to experts and resources. Most large U.S. airlines are full members of ATA.
The National Air Transport Association is an American aviation organization that focuses on lobbying and advocacy primarily for corporate and business aviation, general aviation, maintenance and repair organizations and flight training providers. In addition to lobbying and advocacy, members of NATA also receive industry publications, are involved in conferences and may be involved in NATA's "Safety 1st" airport safety program, networking with other industry partners and other benefits. NATA offers other industry services and scholarships.
