Target
100% implementation of e-ticketing worldwide by 2007.
40% implementation by end 2005.
70% implementation by end 2006.
Benefits
Customer:
- Easier handling of itinerary changes especially for last minute travel decisions
- More effective use of internet capabilities for booking travel and check-in
- No more “lost tickets”
Airline:
- 100% e-ticketing will save the industry at least US$ 3 billion per year:
- IATA alone processes 340 million paper tickets each year
- An e-ticket costs US$1 to process verses US$10 per paper ticket
- Retention of interline revenue as the whole industry implements ET together
- Continued access to IATA distribution and settlement systems
Travel Agents:
- Eliminates costs of ticket printers, maintenance, and ticket distribution
- Removes cost and liability of ticket stock control
Quick Facts
In 2004, 18.8% of all tickets handled by IATA’s Billing Settlement Plans (BSPs) were electronic.
For May 2005:
Global – 32.2%
Americas – 58.8 %
Europe – 44.1%
Africa – 32.6%
Asia and Pacific – 27.9%
North Asia – 5.4%
Middle East – 1.3%
107 IATA member airlines that account for 80% of IATA member volumes have e-ticketing capability.
IATA’s Action Plan:
- IATA has met with over 400 airlines (including all 265 members and those participating in the IATA Multilateral Interline Traffic Agreement) to assess their plans/challenges to meet the deadline.
- Mobilise system/solution providers to help airlines
- IATA has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with Amadeus, China TravelSky, Lufthansa Systems, Sabre and SITA
- Develop an industry solution for interline ET
- Encourage solution providers to collaborate on implementing interline agreements on behalf of their customer airlines.
- Develop a strategy to remove all other paper from the passenger process.