Lao Airlines, the flag carrier of the Lao PDR, has joined as a full member of International Air Transport Association (IATA) that helps to promote safety, cooperation and trade between airline members and facilitate smooth movements of passengers and cargo.
The formal admission ceremony was held on Wednesday and attended by Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport Ms Vilaykham Phosalath, Deputy Minister and Deputy Head of Prime Minister’s Office Mr Khamlavanh Chanthalavanh, President of Lao Airlines Dr Somphone Douangdara, Regional Vice President for IATA in Asia Pacific Mr Conrad Clifford, guests and staff members.
Dr Somphone said he hoped the airline, customers and employees would continue to reap the full benefits of International Air Transport Association membership for many years to come.
He added currently IATA provided benefits of membership to some 265 airlines worldwide.
“International Air Transport Association is a trade association of the world’s airlines aiming to promote safety, cooperation and trade between airline members including passengers and cargo,” Dr Somphone said.
“Lao Airline s was approved to join a full member of the International Air Transport Association and this is our major achievement.
According to the association, IATA’s mission is to represent, lead and service the airline industry and serves as the collective voice of some 265 airlines from over 117 countries worldwide.
The association’s vision is to be the force for value creation and innovation driving a safe, secure and profitable air transport industry that sustainably connects and enriches the world, according to the IATA.
Their current priorities include strengthening the IATA financial system, reducing cost to industry, developing new technical standards to facilitate innovation and distribution, providing key commercial services and training, improving global safety, protecting the industry’s ability to grow sustainably and seeking to avoid further burdensome regulations.\
Therefore, Lao Airlines had been working proactively in order to meet the requirements of becoming a full member of the International Air Transport Association.
In 19 78, Lao Airlines began to coordinate and work with IATA to request Airline Code QV and Accounting Code 627.
In 2007, the airline started using an E-Ticket system and became a member of the IATA Multilateral Interline Traffic Agreements, Billing and Settlemen t Plan and Interline Data Exchan ge Centre.
In 2010, the airline commenced utilisation of IATA Clearing House and IATA Currency Clearance Service systems and became a member of IATA Billing Consolidate System.
In 2012, it joined the Interline Simplified Interline Settlement (Interline SIS) and achieved globally recognised IATA Operational Safety Audit certification following a comprehensive assessment of its operational management and control systems.
Source: Vientiane Times
