If agent accreditation serves as a gateway to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), then adjustments to certification requirements inevitably impact every professional in the field. Recently, IATA updated its accreditation guidelines, with one particular change—concerning the submission of passport or ID copies from all shareholders or owners—drawing significant attention from industry stakeholders.
According to the revised policy, this requirement is no longer mandatory but has been reclassified as "optional." This means travel agents applying for IATA accreditation are no longer obliged to provide copies of shareholders' or owners' identification documents. The optional provision applies to both branch offices and headquarters, primarily targeting intermediary agents.
While IATA has not explicitly stated the reasoning behind this adjustment, industry analysts suggest the move likely aims to streamline the certification process and reduce compliance costs for agents. Previously, collecting identity documents from all shareholders posed a cumbersome and time-consuming challenge, particularly for companies with complex ownership structures. By making this requirement optional, IATA is expected to significantly improve certification efficiency and encourage broader participation in its accreditation system.
Despite this relaxation, agents must still submit other necessary documentation as part of IATA’s overarching accreditation standards. The association’s certification framework is designed to uphold the integrity of the air transport market and protect consumer rights. As such, while agents benefit from reduced administrative burdens, adherence to regulatory standards and ethical business practices remains imperative.