Founded in 1936, the Air Transport Association of America, Inc. (ATA) is the nation’s oldest and largest airline trade association, representing the nation’s leading airlines. Since its inception, it has played a major role in all the significant government decisions regarding aviation, including the creation of the Civil Aeronautics Board and the Federal Aviation Administration, the creation of the air traffic control system, airline deregulation, and recently with the aftermath of the 9/11 attack on America.
ATA is recognized by Congress, state governments, the Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration, the press and the public for its professional and accomplished representation of the industry. As ATA members chart their futures in an ever-changing market, ATA provides valuable expertise, guidance and assistance.
By working with members in the technical, legal and political arenas, ATA continues to lead industry efforts to fashion crucial policy and supports measures that enhance aviation safety, security and the vitality of our aviation system. ATA employs experts representing a wide range of industry disciplines, and provides an array of services to its members, including committees designed to deal with issues related to fuel, airports, engineering and maintenance, the environment, training, security, ground safety, medical issues and international affairs, among others. ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all passengers and cargo in the United States.
Mission
ATA serves its member airlines and their customers by assisting the airline industry in continuing to provide the world’s safest system of transportation; transmitting technical expertise and operational knowledge to improve safety, service and efficiency; advocating fair airline taxation and regulation worldwide to foster a healthy, competitive industry; and by developing and coordinating industry actions that are environmentally beneficial, economically reasonable and technologically feasible.
Goals
The association’s fundamental purpose is to foster a business and regulatory environment that ensures safe and secure air transportation and permits U.S. airlines to flourish, stimulating economic growth locally, nationally and internationally. By working with members in the technical, legal and political arenas, ATA leads industry efforts to fashion crucial policy and supports measures that enhance aviation safety, security and well-being. ATA goals include:
- Championing the world’s safest transportation system
- Protecting airline passengers, crewmembers, aircraft and cargo, working collaboratively with the DHS and the TSA
- Modernizing the U.S. air traffic management system via the FAA
- Challenging government policies that impose unwise regulatory burdens or impinge on marketplace freedoms
- Reducing the disproportionate share of taxes and fees paid by airlines and their customers
- Advocating further deregulation to improve the industry’s ability to attract capital
- Shaping international aviation policy to ensure that U.S. and foreign carriers can compete on equal terms
During its 70-year history, ATA has seen the airline industry grow from the small, pioneering companies of the 1930s into facilitators of the global economy. ATA and its members continue to play a vital role in shaping the future of air transportation.
ATA membership is comprised of passenger and all-cargo carriers; and associate airline (international) members. In June of 2005, the ATA board adopted a new class of membership, Industry Member. There is also another distinct designation of Industry Partner. Membership entitles industry participants the opportunity to attend ATA committee meetings and get access to ATA materials.
ATA experts lead key departments within the association that deal with operations and safety, engineering, maintenance and materiel, airport operations, security, air traffic management, cargo, e-business, economics, facilitation, federal and state government affairs, international affairs, legal affairs, passenger services, communications and public relations.
Contact Information
For media inquiries, please contact:
David A. Castelveter (Media Spokesman)
Vice President, Communications
Phone: 202-626-4033
Cell: 202-725-8922
dcastelveter@airlines.org
Victoria S. Day (Media Spokeswoman)
Managing Director, Communications
Phone: 202-626-4141
Cell: 202-368-1546
vday@airlines.org
Elizabeth Merida (Media Spokeswoman)
Manager, Communications
Phone: 202-626-4205
Cell: 202-731-2866
emerida@airlines.org
For all other inquiries, please contact:
Air Transport Association, Communications Department
1301 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. Suite 1100
Washington, D.C. 20004-1707
E-Mail: prata@airlines.org