Founded in Havana, Cuba, in April 1945, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is an international commercial organization of air transport companies. Thosewhose undertakings are specifically authorised to consult prices between themselves through that body. In 2009, it was composed of 230 companies representing 93 per cent of world passenger traffic. The main activity of IATA is the simplification of invoicing between airlines and travel agents (BSP) or freight forwarders/agents (CASS). To obtain IATA accreditation, the application must be made to the Association. For that to happen, a very complete dossier must be drawn up in which certain elements must be included. Once the application is submitted, it is examined by IATA according to a set of precise and rigorous criteria, including an IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA). This audit programme is internationally recognised and enables the level of operational management of an airline to be assessed.