Paper tickets 'on the way out'

Physical air tickets have been predicted to soon fade out of existence after the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the placing of its last order for paper tickets.

The organisation, which represents more than 240 airlines across the globe, said that all of the tickets that are issued through its Billing and Settlement Plan will be electronic from June 1st 2008.

IATA director-general and chief executive Giovanni Bisignani noted that e-ticketing take-up through its Simplifying the Business drive has risen to 84 per cent compared with 16 per cent in June.

"In just 278 more days the paper ticket will become a collector's item," he commented, adding: "Eliminating paper will save the equivalent of 50,000 mature trees each year. E-ticketing is a winning proposition for everyone."

According to the IATA, e-tickets improve the passenger experience by removing the need to remember to carry physical tickets and minimising queues for last minute seats.

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