History of the TLD

.Airforce was introduced as part of ICANN’s expansion of generic top-level domains in the 2010s to provide a namespace for the air force community and related entities. The TLD is intended to offer a recognizable online identity for individuals, organisations, and businesses connected with air force services and aviation interest groups. The domain entered general availability after its delegation in 2014 and is managed under the registry operated by Identity Digital and United TLD Holdco, reflecting broader trends in domain diversification beyond traditional extensions.

Main Use and Industry Position

.Airforce primarily serves organisations, veterans, active military members, families, supporters, and aviation-related businesses seeking a thematic and community-oriented web address. It positions itself among industry-specific TLDs that enable niche branding and sector identity on the internet and is available for public registration subject to general eligibility rules.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared with generic TLDs like .com or .net, .Airforce is specialised, signalling a specific affiliation or interest. It is broader in eligibility than highly restricted sponsored TLDs such as .mil but narrower in focus than broad-purpose extensions. It aligns with other affinity TLDs such as .navy or .army, which target specific communities.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Offers niche branding specific to air force and aerospace communities
  

• Enhances credibility and relevance for related organisations
  

• Publicly available to individual and organisational registrants
  

Cons

• Recognition outside niche communities may be limited
  

• Some geographic restrictions apply (e.g. not permitted in certain regions)
  

• Potential for misuse unrelated to intended community purpose
  
  

Registration Criteria

Registration is generally open to individuals and organisations worldwide, excluding certain territories where local laws restrict use of the term “airforce.” Registrants must comply with standard domain naming conventions including character limits and permitted characters.

Summary

.Airforce is a specialised generic top-level domain aimed at providing a dedicated namespace for entities associated with air force and aviation interests. It supports branding and identity for relevant communities while remaining broadly accessible under defined policies.