MAS in e-ticketing drive
Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) is switching will implement e-ticketing throughout its entire reservations system within two years.
This move is in line with the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) mandate for all air travel to be ticketless in 2007. IATA estimates the worldwide airline industry could save up to US$3 billion a year once e-ticketing is fully implemented.
Idris Jala, MAS’s managing director, commented: “It is very clear that the industry must simplify to reduce the cost of air travel. That’s why IATA insists that by December 2007, all airlines must have e-ticketing,”
According to IATA, the airline industry will make a loss of US$4 billion (RM14.86 billion) this year due to high fuel prices. It does not expect fuel prices to go down to 2004 levels.
According to Idris, the switch to full e-ticketing would be one of the carrier’s measures to offset high jet fuel cost by reducing handling costs.
MAS currently offers e-ticketing for its domestic routes. If the airline does not implement e-ticketing by 2007, it would not be able to interline with other airlines - a crucial part of its business.
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