Total e-ticketing 'a positive step'

The International Air Transport Association's (IATA's) recent announcement that it has placed its final order for paper tickets is good news for travellers and airlines, an expert has said.

Anna Knowles, spokesperson for Virgin Atlantic, said that the move to e-ticketing will result in "a simpler process" for all of the parties involved, with the main benefit being flexibility for both customers and carriers.

She added that the rollout of 100 per cent e-ticketing will not significantly change Virgin Atlantic's own check-in procedure as it is already taking advantage of new technology to improve the process.

"We are currently in the process of upgrading our check-in area and processes at Heathrow to make the experience as seamless as possible for passengers," Ms Knowles explained.

"This includes self-service check-in and check-in online, which more and more passengers choose to do … They only need to drop their luggage off at the airport, making the process very efficient."

The IATA has said that it expects ticketing to go completely electronic from June 1st 2008.

Currently, 84 per cent of all airline tickets are now electronic, compared with a proportion of 16 per cent reported in June 2004.

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