IATA website launched

The official launch of the website of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Sri Lanka' took place last week in Colombo amidst a large gathering of airline representatives. The website contains information on the travel industry.

Manoj Gunewardena of SriLankan Airlines told the gathering that information technology had brought about a radical change to the airline industry. Although airline industry personnel were reluctant to adapt to ITC and the Internet initially they had now realised the importance of doing business on the internet. "We like to see more airline industry personnel getting involved in E/businesses, he said.

Civil Aviation's Director General Parakrama Dissanayake said with the global presence the website will enable other businesses around the world to link directly with IATA Sri Lanka.

Tourist Board Chairman Renton de Alwis stressed the importance of transacting business through the internet with other agencies scattered around the world.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) Sri Lanka was formed in 1988 as a body to represent the interests of the Sri Lanka Travel Agencies accredited by the International Air Transport Association. At present the membership consists of 80 travel agencies in Sri Lanka.

The Association's objective is to (a) look after the interest of its members in areas related to the travel industry.

(b) To liase with the Department of Civil Aviation, (c) to mediate on any problem and issues between Travel Agencies and Airlines.

IATA was founded in Havana, Cuba in April 1945. At the beginning the Association consisted of 57 members from 31 nations, mostly in Europe and North America while today IATA has over 270 members from more than 140 nations.

The International Air Transport Association is the successor to the International Air Traffic Association founded in the Hague in 1919, the year of the world's first international scheduled services.

(JJ)