Mobile and Technology

Air Canada, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways have formed the Open AXIS Group.

Published: 14 Jul 2010

Air Canada, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways have formed the Open AXIS Group.

The Open AXIS (Airline XML Integration Standard) Group has created to promote a standardised XML (eXtensible Markup Language) schema as the optimal electronic messaging structure for airline system connectivity used in content distribution.

The Group also invited the Airline Tariff Publishing Company (ATPCO) to serve as the founding Allied Member. ATPCO will assist the Open AXIS Group in maintaining common standards integrity and interoperability with existing ATPCO standards.

The Open AXIS Group’s mission “is to expand the adoption, promotion, enhancement and maintenance of a robust airline industry standardised XML schema capable of delivering comprehensive functionality to both the supply and demand sides of the travel supply chain”.

Jim Young has been selected by the Open AXIS Group to serve as its executive director.

The Group’s standard XML schema is open and available to all. Anyone can download and use the Open AXIS Group’s standard XML schema.

Need

“The Open AXIS Group was formed out of the industry’s requirement for more standard connectivity between airlines and third party distributors in support of merchandised content,” adds Graham Wareham, senior director of Distribution at Air Canada. “With the growth of optional services and airline merchandising gaining global airline interest, the creation of the Open AXIS Group becomes more timely than ever.”

It is being highlighted that having an industry standard XML schema is critical for the airlines but also for all the third-party developers working in partnership with airlines.