Micronesia leads world in eliminating paper tickets

Airline ticketing is processed through the International Air Transport Association clearinghouse called Billing and Settlement Plan in each country and territory.

“This market is the first in the world to attain 100 percent e-ticketing,” said Continental Micronesia director for Asia and Micronesia Sales and Marketing David Kendell. BSP operates in about160 countries and territories.

Continental Micronesia played a large role in helping the region achieve a paperless environment since the airline produces the largest share of total tickets. Beginning June 1, 2008, airlines around the world will not accept other airlines’ paper tickets issued after June 1. Passengers connecting on two or more airlines with a flight segment issued on a paper ticket will encounter problems when continuing on their journey on to another airline.

“Many customers are already familiar with electronic ticketing, so we expect any inconvenience to be at a minimum,” said Kendell.

Customers who purchase airline tickets from a travel agency will receive a paper receipt and a print out of their itinerary; however, coupons will no longer be issued for flight segments.

Electronic ticketing is replacing how airlines conduct business globally. IATA, an organization that governs all airlines, has mandated a June 1, 2008 deadline for all billing and settlement plan and industry settlement plan to eliminate paper tickets. Travel agents and airline carriers transact business through BSP and ISP. Together, the BSP/ISP members in Micronesia have improved internal processes and communications to meet the IATA initiative two months ahead of schedule and will no longer issue paper tickets after March 31, 2008.

IATA developed the commercial standards of today’s aviation industry and requires that its 240 member airlines transition into issuing electronic tickets by December 2007, but extended the deadline to May 31, 2008. Last December 2007, however, the region’s electronic ticket issuance was at 99 percent. IATA hopes to save the airline industry up to $3 billion annually with its goal of eliminating paper tickets.

E-ticketing is one of the most significant opportunities to reduce costs and improve passenger convenience. It reduces ticket processing charges, eliminates the need for paper and allows greater flexibility to the passenger and the travel agent to make changes to the itinerary.

Continental Micronesia is headquartered in Guam and operates a Pacific hub from the A.B. Won Pat International Airport.[B][I] (Continental)[/I][/B]