A new solution introduced by Amadeus, a global leader in technology for the travel and tourism industry, aims to eliminate the last barriers to industry-wide e-ticketing.

The company’s latest e-ticketing solution, Amadeus Electronic Ticketing Direct, enables airlines to issue e-tickets in non-Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) markets, the company said.

There are approximately 40 countries without a BSP, preventing a number of airlines from implementing e-ticketing on a worldwide basis. Amadeus Electronic Ticketing Direct, part of Amadeus’ electronic ticketing portfolio, will allow airlines operating in these countries to sell and receive payment for e-tickets via the Amadeus system, and thereby enable them to meet the extended IATA Simplifying the Business deadline at the end of May 2008. The new solution will make it possible for airlines to also sell through select non-IATA travel agents, widening their distribution and capturing greater revenue, it said.

“Even though IATA has extended the e-ticketing deadline until the end of May 2008, it is still very much in everyone’s interest to continue striving to meet this goal as early as possible. Global e-ticket penetration is now pushing 80 per cent, but there still remain a few barriers to complete adoption. As IATA’s preferred e-ticketing partner, we are committed to helping the industry overcome these,” commented Frédéric Spagnou, vice-president, Airline Business Group, Amadeus.

The benefits of e-ticketing are considerable.  E-tickets are cheaper to issue, harder to counterfeit and better facilitate self service kiosks at airports. In addition to increasing the security and speed of ticket data they provide a basis for distribution analysis with real-time information on tickets, fares, customers and the sales channels. Their flexibility, combined with to-the-minute accountability, opens up new possibilities for revenue management and last minute sales.  IATA estimates that full e-ticketing will generate industry savings of $3 billion per year. – TradeArabia News Service