By Willie Walsh, IATA Director General,
Geneva, 19 April 2025
Marking 80 years since its founding in 1945, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reflects on a legacy of fostering global air transport and outlines its vision for a more connected, efficient, and sustainable aviation future.
Founded in Havana by 57 airlines, IATA emerged as a collaborative platform promoting safe, regular, and economical air travel. Since then, it has evolved into a central pillar of global aviation, supporting:
- $4.1 trillion (3.9%) of global GDP
- 86.5 million jobs
- Nearly 9 million daily passengers, a figure that once took airlines a full year to reach in 1945
IATA’s global impact stems from its standard-setting role, which has ensured consistency and safety in an increasingly complex and deregulated industry. A hallmark of this is the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), which correlates with superior airline safety performance.
“Today’s air travel is no less than a modern miracle of science, discipline, and cooperation,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
IATA has enabled vast improvements behind the scenes as well:
- Settlement systems that allow single-payment ticketing worldwide
- Passenger documentation checks, turbulence avoidance, and demand forecasting tools
- Programs advancing digital ID, AI integration, and air cargo efficiency
Looking ahead, IATA’s net-zero carbon goal for 2050 remains a cornerstone of its future agenda. The association will also focus on digital transformation, airline retail modernisation, and infrastructure advocacy to ensure aviation continues to drive economic and social progress.
“The best days of IATA are still ahead,” Walsh affirmed. “By working together, airlines will continue to meet challenges and seize opportunities that strengthen aviation’s role as a force for good.”