IHCTM

IHCTM is authorized training centre for IATA/UFTAA Foundation, Consultant, Management and Senior Management courses as well as IATA/FIATA Introductory, Air Cargo Rating and Dangerous Goods Courses from IATA, Canada. In fact, IHCTM has the unique distinction of being the FIRST in the world to be authorised for the 4  IATA / UFTAA along with the 3  IATA / FIATA training programmes (a total of 7 qualifications).

A Guide to IATA Courses


IATA/UFTAA QUALIFICATIONS

The IATA/UFTAA programme jointly offered by International Air Transport Association along with the United Federation of Travel Agents' Association is the most complete travel and tourism training programme designed for those who wish to start a career in the travel and tourism industry or upgrade their professional competence. The qualifications offered are recognized under the terms of the IATA Resolutions applicable to IATA's accreditation of travel agents. 


IHCTM - the FIRST approved centre in India for all the 4 levels of the IATA/UFTAA programme offers training of the highest standard to qualify you for the prestigious IATA/UFTAA qualifications right from the Foundation up to the Senior Management Level

The Aviation Training and Development Institute (ATDI) is the training and professional development organization of IATA. With over 200 classroom courses delivered worldwide, 11 Diploma Programmes and 17 distance-learning courses, ATDI serves the international aviation and travel & tourism industries by providing training in the fields of travel & tourism, airlines, airports, cargo and civil aviation.

In addition to training, IATA supports the air transport industry by delivering high-quality, industry-relevant products and services.

The United Federation of Travel Agents Association (UFTAA) is the highest world body representing the travel industry. In addition to the National Associations, UFTAA highly values the individual membership and support from a large number of individual Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Wholesalers and Travel Partners, including Hotels, Tourism Boards, Shipping and Cruise Companies, Car Rental Companies and the other operators and associations, allied to the tourist industry.

UFTAA represents 97 National Associations and additional Affiliate members.


IATA /UFTAA Four - Level Career Path Programme

Course Name Course Fees Vacation Concessional Fees

SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Five Modules

= Marketing 2
= Law and Regulations 2
= Technology in the Travel Industry 3
= Managerial Skills 2
= Finance and Business Planning

MANAGEMENT

Seven Modules

= Managerial Skills 1
= Negotiation Skills
= Tour Packages 3 – 
Special Interest Tours
= Meetings, Incentives, 
Conference and Exhibitions
= Administration and Accounting
= Marketing 1
= Technology in the Travel Industry 2

CONSULTANT

Nine Modules

= Geography in Travel Planning 2
= Land Transport – Rail 2
= Land Transport – Bus and Coach
= Accommodation (other than hotels)
= Water Transport – 
Cruises and Private Charter
= Tour Packages 2
= Law and Regulations 1
= Selling Skills
= Air Fares and Ticketing 2

             FOUNDATION


Thirteen  Modules

= The Business Environment of the Travel & Tourism Industry  = Water Transport – Ferry
= Tour Packages 1
= Geography in Travel Planning = Air Transport Essentials
= Travel Formalities = Customer Service
= Land Transport - Rail = Technology in the Travel Industry 1
= Land Transport - Car and Camper = Air Fares and Ticketing 1
= Hotels = Electronic Booking Tools

HIGHLIGHTS

Each level of the IATA /UFTAA Programme comprises of two papers

To pass in each paper, the participant has to score 70% and to qualify for Distinction, you have to score 85% or more in each paper. Examinations are held in March and September each year.

Course has to be successfully completed within two years from date of registration

There are maximum two attempts allowed in each paper 

Each course is of a duration of 3/4 months

Note: Not all courses are offered at all centres.

Level 1: IATA/UFTAA FOUNDATION

Level 1 comprising of 13 modules provides you with an understanding of the travel and tourism industry, the practicalities of the travel professional's role in this industry, the importance of exceeding customer expectations, and the role of technology in the travel industry. In addition, you will become familiar with related subjects such as industry regulations, codes, world geography, air fares and ticketing, visa and health requirements, as well as tour programmes.

By successfully completing the examination, you will be qualified with the IATA/UFTAA International Travel and Tourism Foundation Diploma, and will be able to use the letters “DTTF” (Diploma in Travel and Tourism Foundation) after your name.

Recommended pre-qualifications:
Secondary/Higher Secondary Certificate as well as good math and English-language skills

Who will benefit
• Students who wish to have a career in the travel industry
• Junior travel consultants
• Airline personnel
• Tour operators who deal regularly with travel agents
• Personnel of large companies, responsible for making travel arrangements

How Will You Benefit
• Make appropriate travel arrangements and reservations
• Calculate and quote appropriate air fares
• Complete international travel documents in accordance with the applicable IATA rules and procedures
• Answer customer queries, quote rates and supplements, explain conditions and book tour products
• Acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure that your front-line contact with the customer is remarkable
• Understand the role of information technology, Global Distribution Systems and the Internet

Course Content
Environment Products
The Business environment of the Travel and Tourism Industry Land Transport - Rail 1
Land Transport - Car and Camper Hotels
Geography in Travel Planning Water Transport - Ferry
Travel Formalities Tour Packages 1
  Air Transport Details
Support Services Air Fares and Ticketing
Customer Services Air Fares and Ticketing
Technology in the Travel Industry Electronic Booking Tools (CD-ROM)

Level 2: IATA/UFTAA CONSULTANT 

Level 2 comprising of 9 modules and helps you understand more complex operations, as well as the consultative approach to selling travel and tourism.

By successfully completing the examination, you will be qualified with the IATA/UFTAA International Travel and Tourism Consultant Diploma, and will be able to use the letters “DTTC” (Diploma in Travel and Tourism Consulting) after your name.


Recommended pre-qualifications:
The Foundation Diploma or equivalent syllabus

Who will benefit
• Students who have completed the Foundation Course or equivalent syllabus 
• Travel Consultants with some industry experience, who wish to upgrade their professional competence
• Personnel of tour operators and consolidators, and airlines

How Will You Benefit
• Handle all major aspects of the travel agency business
• Give accurate advice to clients on major tourist destinations
• Produce customised and international inclusive tours
• Sell international business, incentive and conference travel arrangements
• Construct complex fares and routings, applying advanced IATA fare construction principles, issue and re-issue tickets and other documents for all types of international journeys
• Familiarise yourself with common national requirements, IATA's Regulations and the role of the National Travel Agents' Associations
• Learn effective Selling Skills
• Understand the Billing and Settlement System to give your travel operation a distinct operational advantage

Course Content
Environment Products
Geography in Travel Planning 2 Land Transport - Rail 2
Land Transport - Bus and Coach
Accommodation (other than Hotels)
Water Transport - Cruises and Private Charter.
Tour Packages 2
Support Services Air Fares and Ticketing
Law and Regulations Air Fares and Ticketing 2
Selling Skills

Level 3: IATA/UFTAA MANAGEMENT

Level 3 comprising of 7 modules will prepare you for higher responsibilities such as accounting, staff supervision, negotiations and product development.

By successfully completing the examination, you will be qualified with the IATA/UFTAA International Travel and Tourism Management Diploma, and will be able to use the letters “DTTM” (Diploma in Travel and Tourism Management) after your name.


Recommended pre-qualifications:
Minimum of 1 year experience upto supervisory level, as well as some CRS/GDS experience

Who will benefit
• Junior Management Level personnel within all fields of the travel industry  

How Will You Benefit
• Learn the essential principles and strategies of supervising and managing people
• Develop customised tours and gain a competitive advantage
• Learn how to plan, organise and administer meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions
• Be able to establish procedures and control costs
• Understand the latest marketing trends and opportunities, and apply them in your planning
• Familiarise yourself with the challenges and opportunities of information technology and Internet strategies

Course Content
Strategy and Management Products Support Services
Managerial Skills
Negotiation Skills
Tour Packages - Special Interest Tours, Meetings Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) Administration and 
Accounting
Marketing
Technology in the
Travel Industry 2

Level 4: IATA/UFTAA SENIOR MANAGEMENT

This is the highest and the most prestigious of the 4 levels. Level 4 comprising of 5 modules will prepare you for challenges of an upper management role and assist you in acquiring competitive advantage for your business.

By successfully completing the examination, you will be qualified with the IATA/UFTAA International Travel and Tourism Senior Management Diploma, and will be able to use the letters “DTTSM” (Diploma in Travel and Tourism Senior Management) after your name.

Recommended pre-qualifications:
The Management Diploma and minimum of 1 year experience in the Management position

Who will benefit
• Travel and Tourism Industry Managers 
• Individual Entrepreneurs

How Will You Benefit
• Develop a strategic marketing-oriented culture in your travel business
• Understand how laws and regulations impact your business
• Determine what type of information technology to apply in your travel business
• Manage and motivate staff who are in direct contact with customers
• Produce a financially solid business plan to ensure your travel business has the direction it requires to succeed

Course Content
Strategy and Management Products
Marketing 2
Law and Regulations 2
Technology in the Travel Industry 3
Management Skills 2
Finance and 
Business Planning

IATA/UFTAA EXAMINATIONS

To obtain an IATA/UFTAA Diploma, students must pass written examinations comprising of two papers for each of the 4 levels. Examinations are held in March and September of each year in the country of enrolment. The IATA Local Coordinator determines the exact dates and location. 

An examination fee is charged per attempt per paper. Hence, quality training from a reputed organization such as IHCTM will be extremely invaluable in saving both time as well as money. At the time of print the examination fees per attempt per paper is USD 45 ( approx Rs 1800)

An examination consists of 2 papers, both of which must be written at the first attempt. The enrolment is valid for a period of 2 years and students have 2 attempts to pass the examination within this period. A second failure in either paper will cause the enrolment to be cancelled. A pass mark of 70% is required in each paper. 

A diploma with distinction is awarded to students who have obtained 85% or more in each paper at their first attempt. To meet the enrolment deadline, students should enrol with IHCTM latest 1 month prior to ATDI deadline.


Examination Dates / Registration Deadlines

September 2006 Session March 2007 Session
Deadline for students to enrol in the course with ATDI (i.e. payment received in Montreal, Canada).

31st May

30th November


Summary of registration fees as on 1st July 2006

IATA / UFTAA Foundation Course

USD 450

IATA / UFTAA Consultant Course

USD 475

IATA / UFTAA Management Course

USD 499

IATA / UFTAA Senior Management Course

USD 499
 
Shipping and Handling Fees: USD 35 per course

IMPORTANT: The Registration Fees quoted by IHCTM in Indian Rupees include the course fees, examination fees, shipping and handling fees as well as the bank and service charges incurred for forwarding the fees in US Dollars to ATDI, Montreal, Canada within the stipulated registration deadline. Fees are subject to amendments/alterations without notice due to variation in currency exchange rates and amendments made if any by ATDI.


IATA/FIATA QUALIFICATIONS

Under the leadership of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association (FIATA), the IATA/FIATA International Cargo Agents Training Programme is a step-by-step professional training programme designed to help you advance from entry-level to senior management in the cargo Industry. Introduced by IATA and FIATA over 25 years ago to enhance the professionalism and ability of cargo agents, it is delivered and updated on a regular basic by a team of cargo experts and training specialists.


Prerequisites 
It is recommended that students have completed a secondary school education or equivalent. A good understanding of written English, world geography and basic mathematics is essential.

Why a Career in Cargo ?
 

• Privatization of National Carriers leading to rapid expansion programmes.

• Proposals of new International Airports starting in Navi Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad

• International Cargo Hub coming up in Nagpur which would generate 2 lakh job opportunities

• New domestic carriers to be started and international airlines starting operations in India. 

• The Air Cargo Industry is growing at 10% per annum and CHA firms as well as Freight Handling companies have realized the importance of Air Freight and are seeking IATA accreditation. This in turn has created tremendous employment opportunities for IATA/FIATA Diploma holders.


Why IHCTM ?

• IHCTM has been the pioneer of Air Cargo Training Programmes in India.

• IHCTM is the first centre in Mumbai to offer all the three levels of IATA/FIATA programmes 

• IHCTM students not only excel in the IATA/ FIATA exams but are given preferential selection not only in the Freight Forwarding Industry but also for apprenticeship training at Cargo Complex by ground handling agencies. 

• Besides being one of the two institutes in India offering all the 3 levels of the IATA/FIATA qualifications viz Cargo Introductory, Air Cargo Rating and Dangerous Goods, IHCTM students have consistently excelled in the IATA/FIATA exams. In April 2004 26 students from IHCTM scored a distinction (over 90%) in the IATA/FIATA examination.


IATA/FIATA CARGO INTRODUCTORY COURSE

This course qualifies you to make appropriate arrangements and reservations for international air cargo shipments; calculate correct rates and charges for general cargo and special cargo; give accurate and useful advice to clients; and complete Air Waybills in accordance with applicable IATA rules and procedures

Recommended pre-qualifications:
Secondary/Higher Secondary Certificate as well as good math and English-language skills 


Who will benefit
• Traffic and Operations Staff of International Cargo Agents
• Sales and Marketing Staff of Cargo Agents and Consolidators
• Sales, Reservations and Acceptance Staff of Airlines, Airport Handling and Surface Transportation Companies
• Shipping Department Staff of Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Importers and Exporters

Course Content

• Industry Regulations: ICAO-IATA-FIATA; the Air Cargo Agency, the IATA Cargo Agent, the Consolidator.

• World Geography: IATA 3-letter codes, time differences, calculation of transportation times

• Use of Guides: the OAG Cargo Guide; Aircraft: bulk loading limitations, Unit Load, Devices(ULDs)

• Handling facilities, air cargo acceptance, cargo booking procedures, cargo automation procedures

• Air cargo rates and charges, application of TACT (The Air Cargo Tariff), the Air Waybill: completion, labelling and marking


How will you Benefit ?

• Achieve the necessary knowledge and skills to be an effective Cargo Agent with the ability to make appropriate arrangements and reservations for International air cargo shipments

• Calculate correct rates and charges for general cargo and special cargo

• Give accurate and useful advice to clients 

• Complete Air Waybills in accordance with applicable IATA rules and procedures.


IATA/FIATA CARGO RATING COURSE

This course deals with complex rate calculations including construction and combination of rates, calculating freight charges for mixed consignment, ULD ratings as well as it covers the basic rating principles. 


Recommended pre-qualifications:
IATA/FIATA Cargo Introductory Course or equivalent syllabus. 


Who will benefit
• Traffic and Operations Staff of International Cargo Agents
• Sales and Marketing Staff of Cargo Agents and Consolidators
• Sales, Reservations and Acceptance Staff of Airlines, Airport Handling and Surface Transportation Companies
• Shipping Department Staff of Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Importers and Exporters
• All staff of Cargo Agents, Airlines and Manufacturers 

Course Content

• Review of basic cargo rating principles: the Air Cargo Tariff (TACT), IATA areas and sub-areas, chargeable weight - rates and charges - Air Waybill completion

• Currency regulations; conversion rates; rounding-off procedures

• Construction Rates (General Cargo, Specific Commodity and Class Rates)

• Combination of Rates and Charges (International General Cargo Rates, Specific Commodity and Class Rates)

• Mixed Consignments; declaration of the goods - rating - Air Waybill completion

• ULDs; definitions, specifications, classification and identification of ULDs - general rules governing the use of ULDs - ULD charges


How will you Benefit ?

You will be able to 

• Correctly quote the published rates and charges for cargo shipments

• Apply construction and combination principles for unpublished rates

• Calculate appropriate rates and charges for mixed consignments and Unit Load Devices (ULDs) 

• Complete Air Waybills


IATA/FIATA DANGEROUS GOODS COURSE

This course qualifies you to apply the rules and procedures required in forwarding of dangerous goods including identifying, classifying and complying with formalities of packing, marking, labelling and documentation of hazardous material. 


Recommended pre-qualifications:
Secondary/Higher Secondary Certificate as well as good math and English-language skills. Knowledge of basic Cargo training is recommended. 


Who will benefit
• Freight Forwarders, Cargo Agents, Cargo Acceptance Staff
• Shippers, Packers and Airline Staff
• Sales and Marketing Staff of Cargo Agents and Consolidators
• Sales, Reservations and Acceptance Staff of Airlines, Airport Handling and Surface Transportation Companies

Course Content

• Contents of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations

• Dangerous Goods Classes and Divisions

• Identification, Packaging Requirements, Marking, Labelling and Documentation

• Radioactive Materials

• State and Operator Variations

• Handling, Acceptance and Emergency Procedures

• Excepted and Limited Quantities


How will you Benefit ?

You will be able to 

• Correctly apply the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations

• Understand the legal aspects and respective responsibilities of shippers, agents and airlines involved in the transportation of dangerous goods

• Identify and classify dangerous goods

• Verify whether goods are properly packaged, marked and labelled

• Learn all about the “Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods” (DGD)

• Learn how to deliver dangerous goods shipments to the airlines “ready for carriage” upon completion of the IATA Dangerous Goods checklist

Note : The Dangerous Goods course has to be revalidated every two years in order to remain qualified under the terms of the applicable IATA resolutions. 


IATA/FIATA EXAMINATIONS

To obtain an IATA/FIATA Diploma, students must pass written examinations comprising of two papers for each of the Introductory and Air Cargo Rating courses and one paper for the Dangerous Goods Course. Examinations are held in April and October of each year in the country of enrolment whereas for the Dangerous Goods the examinations are held in April, June and October of each year. The IATA Local Coordinator determines the exact dates and location. 

The enrolment for all IATA/FIATA courses is valid for 18 months with the exception of the Dangerous Goods Regulations/ Refresher Course which is valid for 12 months. Examination last one day and consists of two paper (with the exception of the DGR and DGR Refresher Courses, which only have one paper). All candidates must sit both papers when they make their first attempt.

A pass mark of 70% is required in each paper. (except for DGR and DGR Refresher the pass mark is 80%)

A diploma with distinction is awarded to students who have obtained 90% or more in each paper at their first attempt.


Examination Dates / Registration Deadlines

April Session

June Session

October Session

Deadline for students to enrol in the course with ATDI (i.e. payment received in Montreal, Canada).

31 December

31 March

30 June


To meet the enrolment deadline, students should enrol with IHCTM latest 1 month prior to ATDI deadline.

Summary of registration fees as on 1st July 2006

 

IATA/FIATA Introductory Course                   USD 175

IATA/FIATA Air Cargo Rating Course            USD 140 

IATA/FIATA Dangerous Goods Course          USD 150 

IATA/FIATA Dangerous Goods Refresher      USD 126

Shipping and Handling Fees : USD 35 per course

IMPORTANT: The Registration Fees quoted by IHCTM in Indian Rupees include the course fees, examination fees, shipping and handling fees as well as the bank and service charges incurred for forwarding the fees in US Dollars to ATDI, Montreal, Canada within the stipulated registration deadline. Fees are subject to amendments/alterations without notice due to variation in currency exchange rates and amendments made if any by ATDI.

 


Also recommended reading "IHCTM Golden Travel Plan"