Airlines Kiss Paper Tickets Goodbye

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August 28, 2007

The global airlines body IATA has placed its last order for paper tickets, CNET reports. “In just 278 more days, the paper ticket will become a collector’s item,” said Giovanni Bisignani, director general of the International Air Transport Association.

The changeover from paper would cut airlines’ costs by $9 for every traveler and save 50,000 mature trees a year. The move could also give it some positive PR in the face of complaints about the role of air travel in global warming.

Non-IATA airlines, mainly low-cost carriers like the Irish Ryanair and the British Easyjet, already have a paper-free ticket system.

The IATA has set a goal of developing a “zero-emissions” airplane within 50 years, a time frame that some think is too long.

Reader Comments

The changeover from paper would cut airlinesÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ costs by $9 for every traveler and save 50,000 mature trees a year. But traveler have to print the confirmation codes or e-ticket numbers on the paper. Is this really make a sense?

Kuni Masuda | August 28th, 2007

While it may decrease printing costs to the airlines it will likely increase printing costs to the individual consumer who will now print out their own ticket using an innefficient ink jet printer.

Also it is unlikely that the claimed climate change impact reductions or saved trees will be achieved when one looks at the total lifecycle costs rather than the direct cost to the airline.

In fact, consumers will be likely to use more paper and ink or toner as they will be printing out a whole page on 20 lb bond stock rather than the airline printing the ticket on special printers with the lightweight stock they tend to use today.

Don Carli | August 28th, 2007

I install those printers and have for years… the wase that comes from a tickit is more than 2 times as much as one a person would print at home. Besides that there is itineraries that also get printed that the customer does not always see. and that is another 2 sheets of paper.So FYI it is 1-2sheets at home or 6-7 sheets with bording passes or paper tickets…RRR

Yes it saves paper | August 29th, 2007

It is not necessary for travellers/consumers to print all documentation – the only bit of evidence required is the confirmation number (this does not even need to be printed out, I usually record it on a piece of paper!) – therefore saving a lot of excess paper, I think it is a great idea!

Laura | August 30th, 2007