Air transport regulation

This chapter outlines the key drivers of airport regulation, starting with the international conventions and organisations that form the basis for the regulatory framework: the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). In 1947, ICAO became a United Nations (UN) specialised agency. While ICAO remained an independent and autonomous agency, its acquisition of constituency status in the UN Organization benefited many of its Member States in the years which followed, mainly through the United Nations Program of Technical Assistance. IATA is the trade association for the world’s airlines, representing approximately 290 carriers and accounting for 82% of the global air traffic. IATA offers a wide range of products and services, providing accreditation to travel agents and cargo agents, facilitating business interactions between agents and airlines and, most importantly, providing access to IATA’s Billing and Settlement Plan–an interface for invoicing and payment between the agent, airlines and transport providers.