E-Ticketing: Making the Paper Ticket Obsolete

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has begun an important countdown ---100% implementation of e-ticketing worldwide by May 31, 2008. 100% e-ticketing eliminates lost tickets, makes itinerary changes easier, and enables a wide array of self-service options. For air-travel customers, this means stress-free ticketing, no tickets to lose and no last minute queues for tickets on departure, together with greater opportunities for using self-sevice kiosks. For the travel agent, electronic ticketing will allow them greater opportunities to manage the travel experience by being able to make changes to the actual ticket while the customer is on the telephone. For airlines, it is estimated that approximately $9.00 in savings could be made when an electronic ticket is issued instead of a paper ticket. 100% e-ticketing will save the industry up to $3.0 billion per year. Wouldn't it be nice if the airlines pass all the savings on to us travelers? Donna