Amadeus is launching electronic ticketing for Sri Lankan Airlines, making the airline the latest to join the growing community of carriers to offer this service through Amadeus.  With this implementation, the airline now offers e-ticketing facilities in 20 countries throughout Asia Pacific, Middle East, Europe and North America*.

Amadeus is the global leader in e-ticketing, facilitating e-ticketing distribution for 138 carriers in 134 markets, more than any other solutions provider.  In the last quarter alone, between April to June 2006, nearly 1.5 million e-tickets were issued by Amadeus in Asia Pacific, accounting for almost 40% of all tickets issued. Amadeus was also recently selected by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a preferred partner in its drive towards achieving 100% e-ticketing by 2007.

Amadeus e-ticketing offers airlines considerable cost savings as well as the advantages of faster ticket processing and monitoring, while also allowing travel agents to improve operational efficiencies by reducing the workload associated with the issuing, storage and distribution of traditional tickets. It also results in time savings to travellers through faster check-ins.

Damian Hickey, Vice President, Airline Business Group, Amadeus Asia Pacific said: “Faced with challenging market conditions, high operating costs and increased competition, airlines are finding that it is a thin line between being profitable and incurring a loss. E-ticketing is expected to save substantial operating costs, and is a key step forward for airlines in becoming more cost efficient.”

IATA estimates that the airline industry will save up to US$3 billion a year, just by switching to e-ticketing.

Commenting on their move to e-ticketing, Mr. Peter Hill, CEO Sri Lankan Airlines said: “We are delighted to partner with Amadeus to implement e-ticketing in all our markets, well ahead of the IATA deadline. E-ticketing means a faster, more convenient and secure ticketing and check-in process for our customers, who no longer need to worry about misplacing or losing their tickets. Changes to itinerary are also easier to facilitate, resulting in significant savings in time and money for ourselves and the travel agents.”
 
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