Today (February 22nd) marks the start of a 100-day countdown to the implementation of 100 per cent e-ticketing for flights.

June 1st will see paper tickets "put in a museum" as all airlines and airports move to fully electronic ticketing procedures, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The organisation first started the drive to switch to e-ticketing in 2004. When it began, just 18 per cent of tickets were electronically issued.

However, this figure is now more than 93 per cent. Benefits for passengers making use of e-tickets include the inability to lose tickets, being more easily able to change itineraries and the use of self-service options in airports.

"We are entering a new age for air travel," commented Giovanni Bisignani, director-general and chief executive of the IATA.

"The consumer has spoken. They love the convenience of e-ticketing and now want to combine it with self-service options to have more control over their journey."

Last year, a survey by the IATA revealed that 89 per cent of passengers prefer using e-tickets rather than their paper counterparts.

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