Amadeus is stepping up the drive to eliminate the last barriers to industry-wide e-ticketing.

The company’s latest e-ticketing solution, Amadeus Electronic Ticketing Direct, enables airlines to issue e-tickets in non-billing and settlement plan markets.
There are approximately 40 countries without a BSP, preventing a number of airlines from implementing e-ticketing on a worldwide basis. Amadeus Electronic Ticketing Direct, part of Amadeus’ electronic ticketing portfolio, will allow airlines operating in these countries to sell and receive payment for e-tickets via the Amadeus system, and thereby enable them to meet the extended IATA Simplifying the Business deadline at the end of May. The new solution will make it possible for airlines to also sell through select non-IATA travel agents, widening their distribution and capturing greater revenue.
“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. Global e-ticket penetration is now pushing 80 per cent, 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,” commented Frédéric Spagnou, vice-president, Airline Business Group, Amadeus.