Two ways of doing it.

One is that you can become a full member of IATA in which case you get the full IATA service including designators, clearing house, etc... However, this is not cheap.

Two is for non-members. You have to submit copies of your operating certificate and proof of operations or else a "sponsorship" from an IATA member airline who vouches for you. Fax that to IATA in Montreal along with an application fee of US$2000 (refundable if application is rejected) and they will verify eligibility and assign you a code.

You can request a specific unassigned code or an already assigned code as a "controlled duplicate". A controlled duplicate must meet certain conditions so that the airlines have no chance of ever being mistaken for each other. An example of a controlled duplicate would be "AL" which has been assigned to "Skyway dba Midwest Connect" in the USA and to "Transavioexport Cargo" in Belarus.

An airline can keep their code as long as they maintain eligibility and pay the annual renewal fee. You can also apply to change your code at any time if the code you desire becomes available due to another airline ceasing operations.

You can download the forms to apply for an IATA designator code at the IATA website.

[This message has been edited by B747-437B (edited 11-09-2003).]