Airlines issuing paperless tickets now
Syed Ishtiaque Reza | Sunday, 15 June 2008
Airlines around the world started issuing paperless electronic tickets at the beginning of this month, when the deadline for its introduction ended.
At midnight around the world on 31 May, 2008, travel agents stopped issuing IATA neutral paper tickets.
Some of the airlines have been issuing e-tickets in a small scale for the last few years.
The initiative was taken by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The four-year timeframe for e-ticketing began in June 2004 helping the industry save a large amount of money spent on issuance of paper tickets providing enormous benefits of convenience to passengers, agents and airlines, said IATA.
An IATA official in Dhaka said 20 of its member airlines including Biman Bangladesh Airlines and all the member travel agents have been instructed not to issue any paper ticket.
"It's safe, it's dependable. There is no chance of losing the tickets anywhere. If you lose the paper you can trace it easily on computer in any airport," said Mohammad Farhat Khan of the Thai Airways. It reduces the processing charges, eliminates paper and offers greater flexibility to the passengers and the travel agents, he added.
According to IATA, the transition to e-ticketing will save the industry up to US$ 3.0 billion per year around the world. An e-ticket costs US$1.0 to process while it is US$10 for issuing a paper ticket.
The system is stress-free for the travellers as there will be no last minute hassle for tickets. For the travel agent, e-ticketing allows them greater opportunities to manage the customers even on telephone or though e-mail.
As per the decision of the IATA e-ticketing in Bangladesh started on June 1 and is expected to reach its optimum level soon, said Abdus Sattar, secretary of ATAB (association of travel agents of Bangladesh).
He, however, said that he would get a total picture of its compliance at the end of this month. Some of the foreign carriers operating to and from Dhaka are yet to start the system, sources said.
At midnight around the world on 31 May, 2008, travel agents stopped issuing IATA neutral paper tickets.
Some of the airlines have been issuing e-tickets in a small scale for the last few years.
The initiative was taken by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The four-year timeframe for e-ticketing began in June 2004 helping the industry save a large amount of money spent on issuance of paper tickets providing enormous benefits of convenience to passengers, agents and airlines, said IATA.
An IATA official in Dhaka said 20 of its member airlines including Biman Bangladesh Airlines and all the member travel agents have been instructed not to issue any paper ticket.
"It's safe, it's dependable. There is no chance of losing the tickets anywhere. If you lose the paper you can trace it easily on computer in any airport," said Mohammad Farhat Khan of the Thai Airways. It reduces the processing charges, eliminates paper and offers greater flexibility to the passengers and the travel agents, he added.
According to IATA, the transition to e-ticketing will save the industry up to US$ 3.0 billion per year around the world. An e-ticket costs US$1.0 to process while it is US$10 for issuing a paper ticket.
The system is stress-free for the travellers as there will be no last minute hassle for tickets. For the travel agent, e-ticketing allows them greater opportunities to manage the customers even on telephone or though e-mail.
As per the decision of the IATA e-ticketing in Bangladesh started on June 1 and is expected to reach its optimum level soon, said Abdus Sattar, secretary of ATAB (association of travel agents of Bangladesh).
He, however, said that he would get a total picture of its compliance at the end of this month. Some of the foreign carriers operating to and from Dhaka are yet to start the system, sources said.