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PIA to introduce universal e-ticketing
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan International Airline (PIA) will introduce a universal E-ticketing facilities from January 2008 for which International Airlines Travel Association has already set a deadline.
Nauman Shah, PIA district manager Rawalpindi while talking to Jalil Ahmad Malik, president Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), said a press release on Wednesday.
“PIA has already taken a major initiative by successfully introducing E-ticketing facilities from PK offices and agents thorough respective GDS’s at all major domestic and international locationsâ€, he added.
He said E-ticketing would be extended to all PK offices at remote locations within Pakistan by June 15.
He said that E-ticketing was much more than a commitment and a cost saving effort. He said PIA has also introduced special family fares for Pakistanis living in UK and Europe. Expressing his views, President RCCI, Jalil Malik hailed the new services of PIA.
He said introduction of E-ticketing would certainly boost the standard of the airline. He demanded a special package for businessmen. APP |
July 4th, 2006 at 6:52 am
Abacus First GDS To Enable Travel Agents In Pakistan With E-Ticketing Facilities
Abacus International will be the first GDS to bring the convenience of electronic ticketing (e-ticketing) to travellers and agents in Pakistan. Beginning tomorrow, authorised Abacus-connected travel agencies in Pakistan will be able to issue e-tickets for their customers on board Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
No.09/2006 Singapore 08 May 2006
“The introduction of e-ticketing to our customers on PIA is part of Abacus’ larger expansion plans for Pakistan,†said Kenneth Low, Vice President, South Asia of Abacus International. “It is also in line with our goal to accelerate e-ticketing adoption in our markets, as part of our value add to the travel industry.†He added.
“The roll-out of e-ticketing is an important step in the evolution and development of tourism in the region and will assist us to make significant headway into the Pakistan travel market. We’re proud to be the exclusive agent for PIA and with the added commitment of our travel partners, Pakistan’s tourism industry is set to continue to grow,†said Mr Low. “As e-ticketing continues to gain in popularity in Asia, airlines are increasingly seeing the direct benefits that this tool can offer them in terms of reaching out to the modern traveller, whilst travellers are showing preference for the convenience of paperless travel. †he added.
E-ticketing is a real-time paperless method for airlines and travel agents to issue tickets. Individual ticket information is stored within the airline’s reservation system and can be retrieved electronically, reducing the amount of paper ticket inventory and hassle in re-issuance of misplaced printed tickets.
PIA Senior Vice President, Marketing, Mr. Kamran Hasan says, “Over the past two years, we have been working closely with Abacus to implement e-ticketing, with this partnership representing another milestone for PIA. Switching to the e-ticketing system will strengthen PIA’s presence locally and internationally and we look forward to the positive feedback from agents and travellers alike.”
PIA will save as much as 927 Pakistani Rupees per ticket by adopting e-ticketing over the conventional way of printed and hand-written ticket-issuance. In addition, e-ticketing offers travellers with the ease of convenience and security while offering travel agents a more effective management of their customers’ schedules at the same time.
Travel agents have also welcomed PIA’s move to e-ticketing. “This is a major step forward in our vision of a paperless future,†said Quality International’s General Manager, Mr. Zaki Niazi.
Clifton Travels, General Manager, Mr. Mohammad Shakeel Khan also welcomed the announcement. “Already, customers in Pakistan are demonstrating a desire for the convenience of e-tickets. This new agreement by Abacus and PIA will enable travel agents to better serve their customers and generate huge cost savings for the industry as a whole,†he said.
Abacus Pakistan has already begun working closely with PIA to familiarise all Abacus travel agents in Pakistan with the electronic ticketing (e-ticketing) system.
E-tickets continue to gain in popularity throughout Asia-Pacific, with almost one in every three tickets issued on the Abacus system in January-February being paperless. This is in line with the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA’s) goal of converting all member airlines to paperless ticketing by end 2007.
http://www.abacus.com.sg/news+and+events-press+release2006_no009-20060508.htm