In News: India has been ranked 85th in the most powerful passport report Henley Passport Index 2021.
About the Henley Passport Index
- The Henley Passport Index is the original ranking of all the world’s passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa.
- Originally created by Dr. Christian H. Kaelin (chairman of Henley & Partners), the ranking is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which maintains the world’s largest and most accurate database of travel information.
- It was launched in 2006 and includes 199 different passports.
- The ranking is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which maintains the world’s largest and most accurate database of travel information, and enhanced by ongoing research by the Henley & Partners Research Department.
- With expert commentary and historical data spanning 16 years, the Henley Passport Index is an invaluable resource for global citizens and the standard reference tool for government policy in this field.
Henley Passport Index 2021
- Japan continues to hold the number one position on the index, with passport holders able to access 191 destinations around the world visa-free.
- Singapore is in second place (with a score of 190) and South Korea ties with Germany in third place (with a score of 189).
- Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan continue to be the countries with the worst passport to hold with a passport score of 29, 28 and 26 respectively.
- India ranks 85th, with a visa-free score of 58.
- Pakistan was ranked 107th and Nepal was ranked 104th.
International Air Transport Association (IATA)
- The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is the trade association for the world’s airlines.
- 57 founding members in 1945, IATA now represents some 290 airlines in 120 countries.
- Carrying 82% of the world’s air traffic, IATA members include the world’s leading passenger and cargo airlines.
- IATA membership is open to airlines operating scheduled and non-scheduled air services that maintain an IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registration.
Vision
- Working together to shape the future growth of a safe, secure and sustainable air transport industry that connects and enriches our world
IATA membership benefits
Members benefit in several ways. Most importantly, IATA provides a powerful, unified and experienced voice that supports and promotes the interests of its members through:
- International recognition and lobbying
- Targeting key industry priorities
- Driving industry change
- Reducing costs
- Communication campaigns
- Training and other services
