The International Air Traffic Association (IATA) has announced that the industry is not yet ready for e-ticketing, causing concern to many tour operators in India, reported the Economic Times.

According to an IATA statement, e-ticketing system will bring huge benefits of convenience to passengers, agents and airlines. E-ticketing means that there will no longer be cases of lost tickets and passengers will not have to wait for the tickets to be delivered from their travel agents or airlines.

It will also make the handling of last minute itinerary changes much easier. Perhaps more importantly, the airlines will save at least $3 billion per year as an e-ticket costs $1 against $10 for a paper ticket. IATA processes 340 million paper tickets each year.

Travel agents also benefit from e-ticketing as they no longer have to bear the cost of ticket printers, maintenance and ticket distribution. There is also no cost or liability of ticket stock control. There is greater flexibility in managing branch operations.

However, some of the tour operators in India feel that India is not yet ready for total e-ticketing. Some have asked the IATA to extend the deadline so that travel agents, airlines and passengers are not put to inconvenience. X

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