How to get IATA certificate?

IATA or the International Air Transport Association regulates the aviation travel industry across the world. It serves the international aviation and travel & tourism industries by providing training in the fields of travel & tourism, airlines, airports, cargo and civil aviation. Several travel agencies and agents apply for IATA certifications to showcase their higher qualifications. IATA certification is open for all businesses enrolled as travel agencies. According to the country and region of the travel agent, there is a set of minimum criteria which must be fulfilled. Even though the application process is quite meticulous, it’s worthwhile in order to get access to the noteworthy professional resources of the IATA by holding the IATA certificate.

Who can apply for IATA certificate?

• Sole proprietors
• Partners
• Shareholders – Owners of at least 20% of the shares in the company
• Managers – Any person holding a management position
• Employees – Any person working for the agency location who is drawing a salary but does not fit into the above categories. However, he/she must be currently involved in the administration, marketing, finance, operations, and/or sale of travel
• Independent Consultant – A person working for a travel agency pursuant to a written contract or agreement in compliance with applicable laws and regulations
• Owners must be real owners on record with IATA devoting minimum 20 hours per week to the travel business. Partners and stockholders have to own 20% or more.

Eligibility Criteria for IATA Certificate

• Be 16 years of age or over (18 years of age for Canadian applicants)
• Be working for a Travel Agency location with an IATA assigned Industry Numeric Code
• Devote at least 20 hours a week to the business of the agency in a remunerated position (Minimum CAD10,000 gross income per annum for Canadian applicants)
• Be employed for the company location
• Show on the appropriate disbursement records of the Agency
• Reside permanently in the country where the ID Card application is made
• Cargo, MSO, GSA, TRUE and Travelsellers.com locations are not eligible

Evaluation of 4 Criteria for IATA Registration

• Financial record and standing Agent
• Staff qualifications
• Identification and accessibility of premises
• Security and procedures

Documents Required for IATA Certification

• Completed application form
• 1 Passport size Digital Photo
• Original documents supporting the legality of the travel agency
• Audited Financial Statements such as Balance Sheet, P&L Account, Auditors Report etc
• Bank Guarantee
• Photographs of the agency location

All documents must be in PDF format and dated no longer than 1 month from the date of application. Any false declaration might lead to the cancellation and blacklisting of the ID Card.

Process for applying for IATA certificate

1. Visit IATA website and register in customer profile.Click on the link: Not Yet Registered? and enter your personal details and email address.
2. Go through Travel Agent’s Handbook and make sure that you meet the local criteria and financial evaluation criteria.
3. Download the Application Packet by going to Accreditation Application
4. Fill in the vital questionnaire. It will be assessed by the local AIP on the basis of four criteria; financial record and standing; staff qualifications and experience; identification and accessibility of premises; and security and procedures.
5. Give evidence of your regular business operations.You can print out documents from your official website showing the hours that you provide services to customers.
6. Collect and submit the qualifications of your staff.If you have multiple agents, then you must show that at least 1 of them has met the professional criteria to operate a business in your local area. If you are a solo agent, then you must submit your business license or copies of any other certifications that you’ve received.
7. Show proof of prior travel experience if you have worked for an IATA accredited agent or airline in the past
8. Provide bank statements from the last year. Any type of loan or insurance paperwork related to your agency should also be included
9. Submit the application and evidentiary materials in pdf format. You can also email a pdf version of your application to: info@iatan.org.
10. Pay the accreditation fee once you are contacted by the IATA
11. When your application has been approved you will get an official letter showing the date of your accreditation. You’ll also receive a certificate to display in your office. The acceptance documentation will show your IATA numeric code, which is a unique ID that you’ll use for future IATA transactions

Charges required to get IATA certificate

IATA accreditation fee also varies geographically.The price of the ID Card may range between USD 30.00 and USD 70.00 depending on the class of Agency you work for (additional courier fees may apply). All fees, as listed in the application, are non refundable. Payment must be made in ID Card Platform using either:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• American Express

Time Taken to get IATA certificate

It will take at least 2 weeks for your application to be approved.