IATA Reservations Interline Message Procedures 2026/2027

2026-2027 Airline Industry Reservations Interline Message Procedures (AIRIMP)

The source of universally agreed upon communications standards for the handling of Passenger Reservations Interline Messages. The IATA AIRIMP standards are used in millions of transactions between Travel Agency and Airline systems and by Airline to Airline systems.

AIRIMP defines the formats, codes, and rules for teletype and electronic messages exchanged between airlines to ensure seamless interline operations.

This book covers

• • Passenger Name Record (PNR) messaging
  • Reservation modifications (changes, cancellations, rebookings)
  • Interline ticketing and fare accounting
  • Special Service Requests (SSR) such as meal preferences, wheelchair assistance, or unaccompanied minors
  • Documentation and ticketing requirements
  • Settlement and financial reconciliation between airlines

AIRIMP is essential for code-sharing agreements, interline tariffs, and global distribution systems (GDS) like Amadeus, SABRE, and Travelport.

AIRIMP is often used alongside other IATA manuals to provide a comprehensive framework for airline operations:

• Reservations Handbook (RHB): Offers broader context and guidance on the usage and acceptance of AIRIMP standards.
• Passenger Services Conference Resolution Manual (PSCRM): Contains resolutions and guidelines relevant to passenger services and interline agreements.
• IATA Airport Handling Manual (AHM): Focuses on ground handling procedures at airports.
• IATA Ground Operations Manual (IGOM): Covers ground operations standards and safety.

Importance of AIRIMP

• Global Standardization: Ensures all airlines follow the same rules, reducing errors and improving efficiency in interline operations.
• Regulatory Compliance: Airlines are often required to adhere to AIRIMP to participate in global interline networks and IATA resolutions.
• Operational Efficiency: Streamlines communication between airlines, GDS providers, and other stakeholders, reducing delays and improving customer service.
• Financial Reconciliation: AIRIMP includes procedures for settling payments between airlines, ensuring accurate and timely financial transactions.

Who Uses AIRIMP?

• Airlines: For managing interline agreements, ticketing, and passenger services.
• Global Distribution Systems (GDS): Such as Amadeus, SABRE, and Travelport, which rely on AIRIMP for processing reservations and interline transactions.
• Airport Handling Agents: For coordinating ground services with interline partners.
• Travel Agencies: To ensure accurate booking and ticketing across multiple airlines.

Effective Date: Jun 1, 2026 until May 31, 2026

9098-50, AIRIMP