ATA - the Organization of the Largest US Airlines

Added: 04/04/2006

Formed in Chicago in 1936 by a group of 14 airlines, the ATA - better known as the Air Transport Association -- was the first and remains today the only organization of the largest US airlines. It is headquartered in Washington, DC. Since its foundation the company has been an important player in all major government decisions concerning aviation, including airline deregulation, the establishment of the Civil Aeronautics Board and creation of the air traffic control system.

Throughout its history the internationally recognized ATA has adhered to its founding principles to serve its customers and member airlines by assisting the airline industry in providing the safest system of transportation in the world; transmitting operational knowledge among its member airlines with the aim of improvement service, safety and efficiency; developing industry actions that are internationally recognized as economically reasonable and environmentally beneficial; advocating fair airline taxation to strengthen an economically healthy industry.

Summing up all the foregoing missions of ATA, we can determine its main objective: to foster such a business environment that will allow the US airlines to flourish. Through collaboration with its members in the political, legal and technical arenas, the organization supports measures, which improve industry and security well-being and aviation safety. During its history the members of ATA from small companies into major players, playing a vital role in determining the future of air transportation.

The Air Transport Association is recognized by the Department of Transportation, Congress, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Transportation Security Administration, the Department of Homeland Security and state legislatures for its professional presentation industry representation. The organization's structure is similar to that of the majority of airlines, providing an interface between the private sector organizations and the careers. Main departments within ATA deal with security and safety, airport operations, engineering, air traffic management, e-business, cargo, federal and state government affairs, international affairs, facilitation, economics, communications, passenger service and public relations.

Today as ever, ATA represents the industry on aviation issues before Congress, state legislatures and federal agencies and pursues its goals: to protect aircraft and cargo, passengers and crewmembers by working in collaboration with the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security; to advocate the safest transportation system in the world; to modernize the US air traffic management system through the Federal Aviation Administration; to reduce the share fees and taxes paid by its customers; and to shape international aviation policy that ensures US carrier's capability to compete with foreign careers on equal terms.

On March 8, 2006 the Air Transport Association announced Smart Skies Campaign - a blueprint for the modernization of airspace. This resulted from the unified version of 19 of its member carriers for funding air traffic control system as an important part of the FAA Airport and Airway Trust Fund. For the first time in a decade, the organization's members endorsed collectively a Statement of Principles, calling for a completely new approach to operate and maintain the National Airspace System.

As a result of this unified vision, the organization has launched a national campaign, aimed at modernizing the NAS and implementing a fair funding mechanism.

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