ARINC Introduces New JADE Technology; Bar Code Standard Could Replace Magnetic Boarding Passes.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

ANNAPOLIS, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 11, 2004

ARINC Incorporated today introduced an open standard for airline boarding passes that could save the world's airlines millions of dollars by replacing today's technology with inexpensive bar codes.

ARINC published the JADE standard in a 11-page document that specifies how bar code technology can be used to encode, print, and decode the passenger data normally placed on magnetic-stripe boarding passes. ARINC demonstrated a JADE-based system this week in Geneva, Switzerland for airport IT managers attending Passenger Terminal Expo 2004, a major industry conference.

"JADE is the first complete boarding pass specification that represents an open standard," stated John A. Dungan, ARINC's Senior Product Manager for Airport Systems. "We are freely publishing the JADE specifications for the industry's benefit, and we will adopt the JADE standard immediately in our own airport systems."

Airports and airlines that change to JADE could potentially save millions of dollars on the cost of magnetic printers and readers, and millions more on recurring expenses such as magnetic card stock, maintenance, and replacement parts. The JADE name is an acronym for the technology that makes the system work--Java AEA Device Emulation.

Virtually all airlines today use the Association of European Airlines (AEA) protocol for recording and reading their passenger data on magnetic boarding passes. JADE simply replaces the magnetic medium with a bar code. Because it is AEA compliant on both ends, a JADE system appears exactly like a magnetic system and requires no changes in airline host computers.

ARINC worked with a technology partner, VidTroniX Corporation, to develop the JADE standard. VidTroniX supplies advanced printers to aviation and other markets. It designed and manufactures an AEA-compliant bar code printer, which ARINC used for the JADE demonstration in Geneva. "The airline industry needs a lower cost and more efficient solution to the process of boarding passengers, and I believe JADE is that solution," stated Stan Peterson, VidtroniX President.

Passenger Terminal Expo (PTE) is an established world forum and event for passenger terminal design and management. One of the most important international airport industry conferences, it attracts 650 delegates from airports around the world. ARINC's JADE technology was on display at Booth 1224 on the exposition floor.

Established in 1974, VidTroniX specializes in cost-efficient printing technology and has recently delivered over 10,000 specialized small-footprint devices with advanced features for aviation and other industries.

ARINC Incorporated is the world leader in transportation communications and systems engineering. The company develops and operates communications and information processing systems and provides systems engineering and integration solutions to five key industries: airports, aviation, defense, government, and surface transportation. Founded to provide reliable and efficient radio communications for the airlines, ARINC is headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, and operates key regional offices in London and Singapore, with over 3,000 employees worldwide. ARINC is ISO 9001 certified. For more information, visit the ARINC web site at www.arinc.com.