AIR File Processing
AIR files are the data files that carry booking information from your travel booking system into Business Central. The transfer happens automatically through the Azure integration platform -- you do not need to move files manually.
Automatic Processing
When a travel agent creates or modifies a booking, the booking system generates an AIR file containing the full booking record. The Azure integration platform continuously monitors for new files and handles the following steps without user intervention:
- Detection -- the platform picks up new AIR files as soon as they are available.
- Validation -- the file is checked for required data such as customer information, fare details, and passenger records.
- Delivery -- the validated data is pushed to Business Central through a secure API connection.
Once delivered, the booking appears as a new record in the AIR Import List with a status of Draft.
What Requires User Action
The automatic process handles file transfer and initial validation. You will need to step in when:
- Processing imports -- you decide when to convert an import into a sales order or credit memo (see Processing Bookings into Sales Orders).
- Handling errors -- if an import references missing data or fails validation, it gets status Error and is flagged in the import list or in one of the queue pages.
The Three Queues
Three specific problems stop an import from being processed, and each one has its own queue page. The Pending Reason column in the AIR Import List tells you which queue the import is waiting in:
| Queue | Pending Reason | What is needed |
|---|---|---|
| Missing Vendor Queue | Missing Vendor | The hotel or car rental company must be created as a vendor (see Missing Vendor Queue) |
| Voucher Decision Queue | Awaiting Voucher Decision | Someone must choose Voucher or Confirmation for the booking (see Voucher Handling) |
| Missing Destination Queue | Missing Destination | The destination code must be added to the AIR Destinations list (see Missing Destination Queue) |
In all three cases the import is processed again automatically as soon as you resolve the last outstanding item for that booking, so you do not need to go back to the import list afterwards.
Timing
Files typically arrive in Business Central within minutes of the booking being created. If you do not see an expected booking, check with your administrator to confirm the Azure integration platform is running.