There are a number of business applications that can benefit from DNS technology-driven structured domain names.

• VoIP - domain name holders can configure a VoIP address associated with a given predictable name so that callers can use their VoIP application to place a call. For example gva.dcs.lh.aero zone could contain a VoIP address for Lufthansa's departure control at Geneva Airport.
• Service identifiers - one domain name can identify an array of services, since multiple records of different types can be associated with one domain name. For example, gva.bag.lh.aero could be used by different systems to locate a phone number, fax number, e-mail address or web service URI relating to baggage processing at Geneva Airport.
• E-ticketing - an e-ticketing application assumes that each airline has a database of all tickets and that each airline using the ticket at different stages updates the source database (held at large airlines or interconnected hubs). Application of a standard naming convention to access these applications can allow more airlines to use independent solution
  and change them as needed, while retaining the same "name" used by other systems.
• Baggage management - DNS applications already "parse" RFID values to locate a system that supports data provided by the manufacturer. Baggage management systems can follow the same method of data processing as interline e-ticketing - storing data relating to a bag in the database of the originating airline. In this scenario, the industry application can parse bag identifiers (RFIDs or barcodes) to locate the database of the originating airline. The same logic can apply to any other identifiers.

The .aero journey has only just begun

• Passengers completing transactions from any Web-enabled device related to a specific flight and date, including flight alteration and payment
• Passengers accessing and paying for services such as airport parking and duty free or indeed calling the airport via VoIP - simply by knowing the three-letter airport identifier and .aero suffix
• Airlines, airlines and airports administering issues such as lost luggage through use of predictable domain names
• Aircraft themselves becoming a network: an engine could have its own Internet address and communicate remotely with ground maintenance

Get involved

The .aero domain is a community initiative - and as such depends on the talent and skills of its members. We need to bring together interested users to explore and develop .aero further, to shape the domain according to the community's needs. If you would like to contribute to the future of the air transport community's own domain, this is your opportunity: Contact us.