The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has developed the Baggage Community System (BCS), a secure digital platform to support the progressive adoption of the Modern Baggage Messaging (BIX) standard.
BCS will enable airlines, airports, ground handlers, and solution providers to gain the operational and passenger experience benefits of BIX even while parts of the industry are in transition from legacy Type B messages for baggage handling.
Fast, accurate, and secure exchange of messages between airlines, airports, ground handlers, and solution providers are the backbone/fundamental to improving baggage operations. BIX messages track bags through key stages of the journey, including check-in, screening, loading, transfer, and delivery. However, many are still exchanged with Type B messages on teletype, limiting data sharing, increasing costs, and limiting improvements.
BCS is a community platform capable of real-time, structured data exchange, including between those operating with Type B messages and using BIX. This allows legacy and modern systems to continue exchanging information even as partners modernise at different speeds.
The platform also includes a global directory that enables users to identify, connect, and exchange messages with partners more easily. This simplifies a complex and lengthy IT integration process and accelerates onboarding across the baggage ecosystem.
For passengers, BCS will support more reliable baggage operations by enabling richer and more accurate baggage data. Issues such as delayed, mis-directed, or mis-connected bags will be identified earlier, real-time updates will be available, and solutions will be faster.
BCS is currently operating a live test environment where industry partners can validate integrations and messaging workflows in a controlled setting. The full platform is expected to go live in the third quarter of 2026.