What is .aero?

.aero is a sponsored top level Internet domain, reserved exclusively for the aviation community. It is a community initiative – run exclusively by and for the aviation community as a whole.

What is the difference between .aero and other generic TLDs such as .com, .net, .org.

Technically there is no distinction between .aero, and lets say .com and .net. The .aero registry services are handled by Afilias who operate world-class technology supporting some of the world's largest generic domain names such as .info and .org.

Afilias has been intimately involved in the development of standards such as DNSSEC and enum – emerging standards significant to the continued development of .aero.

However unlike generic domain names not only is .aero an industry specific domain but more importantly aero is a sponsored domain and it is this feature that sets it apart from the generic domains.

What is the difference between a sponsored domain and a Generic domain?

Registration in a generic domain is available to everyone, unlike .aero a sponsored domain which requires that each registrant is a valid aviation community member.

But key to the value of sponsored domain is its ability to set standards and policies designed to safeguard the integrity of the domain - something that cannot be achieved in a public domain. Within a sponsored domain, registrants must comply with the set policies of the domain, policies that are set with respect to eligibility, and domain naming structure.

What does .aero offer the industry?

At the most basic level, .aero is the provision of a domain name or an internet space exclusive to aviation – it was the first industry specific Top level domain introduced in 2002. It has since been followed by .mobi, .travel, industry specific domain names that give related industries the means to strengthen their overall Internet presence. .aero generates an identity that consumers can recognize as "the place to go for information about all aviation-related services".

However – .aero is more than just the provision of a domain name. As a sponsored domain, the community that "owns" .aero is in a position to mould and develop .aero to meet their growing needs. From the outset the .aero domain space was designed to create a structured, open and constantly evolving Internet naming architecture, built on aviation naming and coding structures. Building on the well-established predictive naming conventions commonly used within aviation industry, the .aero top-level domain offers the opportunity to develop industry wide internet standards to take advantage of this cost effective means of communications, whilst also retaining the flexibility of open systems and security for all industry participants.

Who is eligible?

All members of the aviation community such as airlines and commercial aircraft operators, airport operators, air navigation service providers, aerospace companies, airfreight & logistics companies, aviation suppliers and service providers plus other qualified members of the aviation community such as pilots.

What is SITA's role?

SITA is the sponsor of. aero, we manage and maintain this initiative on a not-for-profit basis. The role of the sponsor is to develop and maintain an environment and policies, which will allow members of the community, to develop new Internet-based services and applications for new services to be developed   by SITA or anyone else.

Is .aero a product/service of SITA?

NO   SITA as the sponsor of this community initiative manages and promotes .aero on a not-for-profit basis supported by the Dot Aero Council (DAC), an advisory body made up of members from aviation industry associations. In its sponsorship role it may lead the initiative to develop sample services, which are needed to get the first standards out the door and provide opportunities for other members of the community to build upon.

Is .aero supported across the industry?

Yes – SITA as the sponsor is supported in its management of. aero by the Dot Aero Council (DAC), which includes representatives from IATA, ACI, plus other key stakeholders and  ICAO as an observer.

Why chose .aero?

With over 60 million domain names registered the .aero suffix removes the user from the anonymity of the Internet , businesses and organisations adopting .aero will always be found in one place and be instantly recognised as aviation companies.

Air transport is dependent on transparent communications; the advantage provided by the predictability and simplified navigation gained through the .aero naming convention, coupled with the restricted community results in a structured and logical Internet environment.

.aero, through its standards , policy developments and naming conventions is the enabling technology that will allow the Air Transport Community to develop its next generation network   by ensuring that the relevant shared standards are in place to operate and that the underlying network can facilitate secure and reliable exchange of information between airlines and airports.

What is the current development status for .aero?

At this moment in time, SITA is actively fostering development of .aero as a key resource for new community-wide information systems. Concentrating on ensuring that relevant standards are in place to operate industry specific domain naming structures and underlying networks, and working to create a low-cost infrastructure for further exploitation of ID technologies such as RFID and VoIP in aviation business.

Why should an interested party register a .aero domain name?

Consistent, predictable methods of reaching aviation industry related websites + trusted and technology sound environment = fast and efficient communications.

Future benefits:

A developed, trusted and secure industry domain will open the door to new business applications/services built around an Internet environment of interlinked resources. All technology development, communication mechanisms or standardization is made available for the benefit and use of the community as a whole. Big or small, individual or association the advantages are equal.

Is re-branding necessary?

NO – for large well established companies .aero compliments existing arrangements rather than replaces them, and works in parallel to existing addresses. Through the use of 2 and 3-letter industry codes as domain names .aero leverages the value of legacy coding ( very familiar to frequent travellers) by linking with new media such as mobile phones and other mobile devices  - short and easy to remember they enhance user communication and ease of operation. What could be simpler to remember than gva.arrivals.aero , lhr.arrivals.aero and so forth.