Friday, 30 May 2008
Tomorrow will be the last day that most of the world’s airlines will be able to issue paper airline tickets. From June 1st, all, carriers who are member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) will switch to electronic ticketing.Many of the 240 members of IATA have already changed to the new system, in fact by the end of February 2008, over 90% of IATA airlines had already made the switch.
A message on the IATA website points out that E-ticketing (ET) is one of the most significant opportunities in reducing costs and improving passenger convenience. Whilst reducing ticket processing charges, they also give both the passenger and travel agent more flexibility in making changes to travel arrangements.
Environmentally, the switch to E-tickets is also expected to save 50,000 trees every year. Financially, IATA claims that its member airlines will save up to $3 billion dollars per year, as the cost of issuing E-tickets compared to paper tickets its radically cheaper.
Although 31st May is the last day for old style tickets to be issued, IATA confirms that all paper tickets will be valid for the dates indicated on them.
