The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is involved in a legal dispute with the liquidator and former shareholders of Viaticum, a French online travel agency that collapsed in 2023. The case, which was brought before the Paris judicial court in 2025, centers on allegations that IATA's actions contributed to the agency's downfall. Viaticum operated Bourse des Vols and Bourse des Voyages, online platforms for booking flights and travel. The agency's collapse led to the loss of 26 jobs and the eventual acquisition of its brands by PenguinWorld, a company that now runs the services successfully. According to documents provided by Viaticum, IATA requested a bank guarantee of 1,895,000 euros on July 14, 2023, which represented about 80% of the company's 2022 revenue. This request was made during the summer travel season, and the deadline for fulfilling the guarantee was set for August 15. Viaticum claimed it sought clarification and a longer deadline but did not receive a response that would allow it to comply. On August 16, 2023, Bourse des Vols was suspended from the Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP), a system used by IATA-accredited agencies for handling billing and ticketing. This suspension crippled the agency’s ability to operate in the air travel sector. Viaticum, founded in 1996, had built a long-standing relationship with IATA, which was abruptly severed in 2023. The liquidator and former shareholders are seeking compensation for what they describe as a sudden and wrongful termination of this commercial partnership. They argue that the high financial demand, the short deadline, and the lack of communication from IATA led to the agency’s collapse. An expert appointed by the court estimated the damages at around 12 million euros. The legal battle could take several years to resolve. The claimants are seeking compensation for the financial and professional consequences of Viaticum’s closure, which affected not only the company but also its employees. Former employees have described the situation as a shock and a disruption to their careers. One former transport manager, for instance, faced a professional setback after nearly a year without work, while others expressed confusion over the sudden nature of the closure. The case highlights broader questions about the financial obligations placed on travel agencies and their ability to challenge decisions that immediately threaten their operations.