TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – July 16, 2010) – Open AXIS Group announced today that the following organizations have joined ATPCO as Allied Members: AOI Marketing, ARC, Datalex, eNett International, Farelogix, LUTE Technologies AG, Mobiata, PASS Consulting Group, and Radixx International. As Allied Members, these organizations can provide feedback on and participate in the development of the Group’s XML standard. They can also voice their recommendations on future enhancements.
Open AXIS Group’s primary goal is advocacy and promotion of XML as the optimal electronic messaging structure for airline system connectivity used in content distribution. The organization has already established a proven XML schema as the baseline for its standard and will work closely with its members to adopt, promote, enhance and maintain this schema to create a robust industry standard that addresses the needs of both the supply and demand sides of the travel supply chain.
“Our focus is on driving forward the creation and adoption of a master XML standard for airline connectivity that enables both messaging and content distribution. To ensure this standard is comprehensive and embraced globally requires participation and collaboration from the airlines as well as the Allied Members who enable them through technology or services,” said Jim Young, Executive Director of Open AXIS Group. “The initial response following our launch has been extremely positive and points to widespread acceptance of our mandate. The addition of these leading edge organizations as Allied Members gives us a lot of momentum right out of the gate.”
“Our customers demand that we develop and adopt standards that enable them move at the speed of business. At its core we believe that the Open Axis Group has set out to establish technology standards that enable airlines to distribute their products and content to meet the needs of their customers and the market today, tomorrow and into the future,” said Cormac Whelan, CEO of Datalex.
The current Open AXIS Group XML schema supports the full range of airline transactions, from straightforward booking and PNR management transactions, to more complex transactions involved with multiple passenger management, ticketing, exchange, refunds, voids and the various merchandising related transactions including optional services, bundling, EMD management and payment and settlement solutions. “With support from Open AXIS Group members, we will provide a robust, standardized XML schema that addresses both current and future needs of the travel industry,” adds Young.
“eNett looks forward to joining the discussion on developing standards for all forms of content distribution, including payment and settlement solutions,” said Chris Vukelich, Senior Vice President, Americas at eNett International.
Membership in Open AXIS Group is open to any entity that operates in the travel industry, including the airlines (Full Members) and other third party developers, GDS, travel agencies, associations, and consultants (Allied Members). There is however no requirement to join Open AXIS Group to use its messaging standard, which can be downloaded at www.openaxisgroup.org.
Open AXIS Group’s founding airline members are Air Canada, American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways. ATPCO is a founding allied member.
About the Open AXIS Group
Open AXIS Group is a member-based, not-for-profit organization. Its primary goal is advocacy and promotion of the eXtensible Markup Language (XML) as the optimal electronic messaging structure for airline system connectivity used in content distribution. In support of this purpose, the Open AXIS (Airline XML Integration Standard) Group intends to adopt, promote, enhance and maintain standardized XML schema tailored to the airline industry that is capable of delivering comprehensive functionality to both the supply and demand sides of the travel supply chain on a worldwide basis. Follow Open AXIS Group on Twitter (@OpenAXISGroup), become a fan on Facebook (www.facebook.com/OpenAXISGroup) or connect on LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/companies/open-axis-group). Find out more, become a member or register and download the Open AXIS Group’s schema at www.openaxisgroup.org.