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.aero

.aero domain — meaning, price and how to register

Sponsored top-level domain (sTLD) · Updated

.aero in short

The .aero domain is a sponsored top-level domain (sTLD) reserved for the aviation and air-transport community — airlines, airports, manufacturers and aviation professionals. It is operated by SITA and requires eligibility validation before you can register.

.aero at a glance

Extension
.aero
Type
sTLD — Sponsored top-level domain
Registry
SITA
Launched
2002
Country / scope
Generic — no country
Restrictions
Restricted — aviation/air-transport community only; eligibility validated via SITA
Typical price
Restricted
Example sites
airline sites

Source: IANA root zone database & registry data · methodology

Where to register a .aero domain

Namecheap verified Porkbun verified Cloudflare Registrar at cost

Prices are indicative and set by each registrar; renewal rates may differ from first-year promotions. Links may be sponsored. tldlist.us is an independent reference and not a registrar.

What does .aero mean?

The .aero extension is the dedicated namespace of the global aviation industry. Introduced in 2002 as one of the first sponsored TLDs, it is sponsored and operated by SITA, the air-transport IT cooperative, on behalf of the worldwide aviation community. Where most extensions are open to anyone, .aero is a community domain: registrants must belong to the air-transport sector and be validated against an industry directory before a name is approved.

Who uses .aero?

Airlines, airports, aircraft manufacturers, air-traffic-control bodies, ground handlers, travel-trade aviation services and licensed pilots and aviation professionals. Because membership is verified, a .aero address acts as a trust mark inside the industry — it tells partners and travellers the operator is a recognised participant in air transport rather than an unrelated third party.

.aero registration rules and requirements

Registration is restricted. To qualify you must be a member of the aviation/air-transport community and obtain an Aviation Member ID (sometimes called an aero-ID) from SITA, which validates your eligibility. Names must also relate to your aviation activity. The process is more involved than an open gTLD and is handled through registrars accredited for the sponsored namespace.

How much does a .aero cost?

Pricing is set through accredited registrars and is typically higher than an open gTLD, reflecting the validation overhead — commonly in the tens of dollars per year, though the registry treats it as a special, restricted category rather than a commodity extension. The real cost is eligibility, not money: without aviation-community membership you cannot register at any price.

.aero pros and cons

Pros

  • A trusted, verified mark of genuine aviation-industry membership.
  • Cuts through clutter — only real air-transport entities qualify.
  • Purpose-built namespace recognised across the aviation sector.
  • Reduces impersonation risk thanks to mandatory validation.

Cons

  • Restricted — requires aviation-community membership and a SITA ID.
  • Validation makes registration slower than open gTLDs.
  • Meaningless and unavailable to anyone outside aviation.
  • Far smaller and less recognised by the general public than .com.

Example .aero websites

.aero — frequently asked questions

What is the .aero domain?
The .aero domain is a sponsored top-level domain (sTLD) reserved for the aviation and air-transport community — airlines, airports, manufacturers and aviation professionals. It is operated by SITA and requires eligibility validation before you can register.
Who can register a .aero domain?
Only members of the aviation and air-transport community — airlines, airports, manufacturers, aviation services and licensed professionals. You must obtain an Aviation Member ID from SITA, which validates your eligibility, before a .aero name can be registered.
How do I register a .aero domain?
Apply through a registrar accredited for the .aero sponsored namespace, request your aviation eligibility ID (aero-ID) from SITA, and pass community validation. Names must relate to your aviation activity.
Is .aero open to the public?
No. .aero is a sponsored, restricted TLD limited to the aviation community. Businesses and individuals outside air transport cannot register it; an open generic such as .com or .travel would be the alternative.