Communication with other systems or interlining is available at two levels in The Airline Cargo System.
The first level is a manual system where you send telex messages for all communication purposes. Using this method you must be able to understand and encode the telex message using the IATA Cargo Interchange Message Protocols. While this method is manual, most cargo airlines still employ it.
The second method is where the accounting system performs all communications to the other systems and you do not have to be aware of the IATA Cargo Interchange Message Protocols.
The accounting system automatically encodes and responds to the following cargo interchange messages:
| IATA Code | Function |
| FFR | AWB space allocation request |
| FFA | AWB space allocation answer |
| FSR | Status request |
| FSA | Status answer |
| FSU | Status update |
| FSL | Multiple status update list |
| FWB | AWB data |
| FSB | Substitute AWB data |
| FWR | AWB data request |
| FVR | Availability information request |
| FVA | Availability information answer |
| FMA | Message acknowledgment |
| FNA | Error |
| FFM | Airline flight manifest |
| FYT | CCS free text |
| FTR | Rate information request |
| FTA | Rate information answer |
| FRR | Supplemental rate information request |
| FRA | Supplemental rate information answer |
Any additionally required codes will be added upon request.
To activate the manual communication program from either ARINC/SITA the "Communication" top bar function is selected.
This invokes, in this case, the ARINC Dial Access application.
The prepare new message function is selected on the above panel. On the panel below, the SITA/ARINC originator address for Flight Data Management is automatically placed onto the panel and an address for a company is manually input into the addresses field.
The message is transmitted and the return to the accounting system is gained by selecting the "quit To DOS" function.
