New XML-Based Messaging Standards Developed for the Air Transport Industry

ARINC and SITA have released a detailed set of standards and specifications to enable XML (extensible markup language) - based business-to-business messaging for the air transport industry.

The standards define a new messaging approach, called Type X, which makes use of XML and Web technology to complement existing industry Type-B messaging.  According to ARINC and SITA, while Type-B message formats can still be used, the Type-X format will enable more cost efficient and flexible IT (information technology) communications.

ARINC and SITA's global networks carrying an estimated 40 million Type-B messages daily for airline reservations, passenger check-ins, baggage handling, and data communication between airlines, global distribution systems, ground handlers, and other travel service providers.  The underlying IATA standard spans both legacy and IP (Internet protocol) communications.

More than a year of development by an industry work group that included representatives including Amadeus, British Airways, Galileo, Lufthansa Systems, Mercator, Northwest Airlines, Sabre, and Worldspan, led to this result, ARINC said.  The group worked closely with the IATA XML Task Force, OASIS (Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards), and the OpenTravel Alliance to ensure their open standards-based specification would complement the efforts of these groups.

Mansour Rezaei-Mazinani, the head of network services engineering at SITA, said, "Transitioning to XML will pave the way for changes being driven by the industry-wide implementation of applications such as e-ticketing and new security requirements for passenger processing, while enabling significant benefits delivered by the use of XML technologies.  These include driving down spending on development and maintenance, reducing costs related to legacy platforms, and enabling faster integration of applications."

By the end of year the work group plans to sponsor pilot projects to demonstrate real-life implementation of the Type X standard.

The new Type- specifications and a "white paper" discussing their ramifications are available at the ARINC and SITA websites and the Type X Work Group website at www.TypeX.aero.  10-07-2006.

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