No more paper air tickets from June 1

In 100 days from Friday, paper air tickets would be history as airlines across the world move to 100 per cent e-ticketing from June 1, 2008, a target many in the travel world initially thought would be difficult to meet. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) claims that penetration of e-tickets is already 93 per cent.
"In 100 days, the paper ticket will find a place in a museum. On June 1, 2008, we will achieve 100 per cent electronic ticketing," IATA Director General and CEO Giovanni Bisignani said in a statement.
"While a paper ticket costs $10 to process, e-ticketing reduces that cost to $1.."
When the programme began in June 2004, only 18 per cent of the tickets issued globally were paper-less. The figure is claimed to be 93 per cent today.
"In India, the penetration of e-tickets is 91 per cent, including foreign airlines," said Sunil Chopra, IATA's country manager for India.
Top foreign airlines such as British Airways and Lufthansa are close to 95 per cent, though Air India is slightly lower as it has to depend on agents in some countries.
22/02/08 Business Standard/Rediff

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Feb 2008