Doing away with paper-based e-tickets

An airline’s e-ticket is printed with PNR number of the traveling passenger consisting of complete journey details.The bonadife passenger’s entry into the airport’s check-in area is verified by the security personnel at the departure gates. On production of valid identification proof and an e-ticket, a passenger is then allowed to proceed to check in counter.

It is given to understand that the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has allowed the passengers to carry the PDF version of e-tickets on laptops/smartphone/tabs etc. as a valid travel authority with original ID proof to enter the airport. Such a facility has enabled many passengers and airlines to save on paper otherwise used extensively to print e-tickets. But owing to lack of awarness, many airline passengers still rely on paper based e-tickets instead of soft copy of e-tickets which is otherwise highly unnecessary leading to wastage of paper.

Thus an extensive awareness is necessary to do away with paper based e-tickets completely. Airline carriers should otherwise incentivize the passengers to carry PDF-based e-tickets instead of paper-based e-tickets. Airline organizations such as CAPA, ICAO, ACI, IATA etc. should extensivley engage to promote the use of PDF-based e-tickets for domestic travel and thus contribute substantially for a paper-free airline ticketing eco system.

Varun Dambal,

Bangalore