Airlines have begun moving away from the old EDIFACT “Type B” baggage messaging toward a new, modern standard called Baggage Information eXchange (BIX). IATA’s Modern Baggage Messaging initiative promotes BIX as a more flexible, cost-efficient solution (iata.org). BIX is based on the IATA Airline Industry Data Model (AIDX), which uses web-friendly formats (XML or JSON) and APIs instead of legacy EDI. In practice, this means baggage messages can be sent over the internet or cloud with better encryption and data structures.
According to IATA, legacy Type B messages “have been in place for decades” but are now “increasingly inefficient and costly” (iata.org). By contrast, BIX promises lower IT overhead and faster integration. For example, BIX’s standardized schema has more precise fields and modern data validation, which reduces errors in baggage data. It also supports real-time updates more easily. IATA highlights that BIX leverages cloud technologies to “reduce costs, improve data quality, [and] enhance security” (iata.org).
The benefit to airlines is significant. With BIX, an airline can implement real-time baggage APIs on its mobile and web platforms. Passengers and ground systems can query a bag’s status directly via secure web calls, enabling near-instant updates. For airlines, moving to BIX can streamline system interfaces: instead of managing multiple legacy gateways, carriers can use standard RESTful APIs. IATA even provides tools like a cost-savings calculator to encourage the transition to BIX.
Major carriers have begun trials of BIX messaging. For instance, airlines with modern check-in kiosks and apps can issue electronic bag tags (e-Tags) whose data flows entirely through XML messages. In the future, we expect all baggage messages (BSM, BPM, etc.) to use BIX standards. The long-term goal is “real-time” tracking where any stakeholder – another carrier, an airport, or even the passenger – can receive updates instantly via the new messaging platform.
In summary, modern baggage messaging (BIX) is the industry’s next step: replacing old EDI messages with internet-based, flexible data exchange. The result will be better data sharing and easier innovation in baggage handling (iata.org). As one IATA summary puts it, BIX is a “forward-looking standard that transforms how airlines manage baggage communication” (iata.org)
