IATA is governed by a General Meeting and an executive committee, known as the Board of Governors. The Board’s work is supported by nine Advisory Councils. Traffic Conferences have also been established to develop and maintain standards and for matters relating to the relationship between airlines and IATA accredited agents and other intermediaries.
The Act of Incorporation (pdf) and the Articles of Association (pdf) define IATA's mission and regulate its activities and affairs.
General Meeting
The General Meeting is vested with the ultimate authority to exercise all of the powers of IATA.
At its annual meeting (the "AGM"), it elects the Board on recommendations of the Nominating Committee (pdf), approves membership fees and dues and financial statements, considers reports of the Board, Traffic Conferences and Advisory Councils, formalizes industry positions through resolutions, etc. Each member airline gets a vote at General Meetings, with decision usually being taken at a simple majority except for some matters where a greater majority is required.
The Rules of Procedure of General Meetings (pdf) set the composition, agenda, conduct of business, etc. for IATA's Annual General Meetings.
The AGM is held in conjunction with the World Air Transport Summit.
Board of Governors
The IATA Board of Governors exercises an oversight and executive role, including the general management and control of the business, affairs, funds, and property of IATA, on behalf of the membership as a whole. Among others, the Board determines, reviews and approves IATA policy and takes action in response to specific requests from member airlines. The Board also appoints IATA's Director General, Corporate Secretary and Chief Financial Officer.
The Rules and Regulations of the Board of Governors (pdf) set the composition, responsibilities, conduct of business, etc. for the Board.
Audit Committee and Chair Committee
The Board has established two committees to support its work:
- the Audit Committee which consists of five Board members and is responsible for reviewing the financial reporting process, the system of internal control and management of financial risks, the audit process and the process of monitoring compliance with laws and regulations; and
- the Chair Committee which consists of a maximum of 10 Board members and oversees IATA's financial performance and governance and has overall responsibility for industry policy.
Membership of the Board of Governors
As of 22 October 2024, the Board is composed of 31 airline CEOs (pdf) and IATA's Director General.
Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo Airlines, serves as Chair of the Board of Governors until the close of the 81st IATA AGM. The CEO of IAG, representing Iberia, Luis Gallego Martín, will serve as Chair of the BoG from June 2025, following Elbers's term. See press release.
Advisory Councils
Nine Advisory Councils have been established to advise the Board and work with IATA management on issues referred to them by the Director General. Each advisory council is composed of up to 20 experts from member airlines who act as representatives of the membership. The Advisory Councils meet at least twice a year and may establish working groups to provide technical advice on an on-going basis and task forces to address specific time-limited projects. Their activities are governed by the Rules and Regulations of the Advisory Councils (pdf), which include their individual mandate in Annex.
IATA’s nine Advisory Councils
Traffic Conferences
IATA’s Traffic Conferences develop and maintain standards for cargo industry procedures, cargo distribution services and passenger processes (such as distribution, airport and financial) together with more general standards such as coding and scheduling. The Traffic Conferences are also responsible for matters (excluding remuneration) relating to the relationship between airlines and IATA accredited passenger and cargo agents and other intermediaries. Resolutions adopted act as an agreement between all IATA member airlines and are binding on them.
The Traffic Conferences meet in general annually and are organized in committees or management groups. They may establish boards or panels to oversee provisions in specific domains. Each active IATA member airline with scheduled commercial international air services gets a vote. Their activities are governed by the Provisions for the Conduct of the IATA Traffic Conferences (pdf).
IATA’s Traffic Conferences
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Questions?
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