Global distribution and travel technology company, Amadeus, has introduced a new e-ticketing solution to facilitate e-ticketing for airlines by IATA”s (International Air Transport Association) deadline, which has now been extended to 31 May, 2008.
Amadeus Electronic Ticketing Direct enables airlines to issue e-tickets in non-Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) markets, of which the company says there are around 40 countries.
BSP is a system that operates in more than 160 countries, and which was designed by IATA to facilitate and simplify the selling, reporting and remitting procedures of IATA-accredited travel agents and improve the financial control and cash flow for airlines.
The non-BSP issue has prevented a number of airlines from becoming e-ticket compliant, says Amadeus, but the new platform will allow such carriers to sell and receive payment for e-tickets via the Amadeus system and therefore meet IATA”s criteria.
IATA”s Simplifying the Business deadline was originally December 2007, but due to the number of airlines who would have difficulty meeting it, the association has extended it by six months.
”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,” said Amadeus Airline Business Group vice-president, Fr”d”ric Spagnou.
”Global e-ticket penetration is now pushing 80%, 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.”
In addition, the new platform will enable airlines to sell tickets through certain non-IATA travel agents in order to widen their distribution and secure more revenue.