KLM Inches on toward Full E-Ticketing

Dutch air carrier KLM is further progressing toward 100 percent e-ticketing, which is in line with the industry goal of moving to full e-ticketing capabilities by the end of 2007, as initiated by IATA, said Bart Vos, senior vice president of Distribution and E-Commerce for KLM. “Presently, 73 percent of all KLM tickets issued are e-tickets.”

As per the information available, the Worldspan Interchange provides KLM with Interline Electronic Ticketing (IET) product to help the carrier achieve the industry goal of 100 percent e-ticketing in 2007. KLM joins more than 100 airlines available through the growing Worldspan Interchange hub.

Kevin Ficco, vice president of Airline Distribution and Business Development for Worldspan, said that the Worldspan Interchange makes the activation of KLM´s interline electronic ticketing agreements extremely efficient, allowing the airline to galvanize its IET agreements in days as opposed to the months it takes using the standard industry approach.

“Further contributing to KLM and every participating airline´s need for speed and cost-efficiency, we are the only provider offering subsequent IET activations to airlines in the Interchange at no additional charge to Interchange participants,” said Ficco.

According to an official release, Worldspan´s full suite of E-Ticket Technologies not only allows airlines to activate IET agreements in days rather than months, but it also enables airlines to achieve a comprehensive e-ticketing and IET connection in months instead of years, and for pennies on the dollar compared to traditional costs.

“Using the industry´s only solutions to let carriers adopt complete e-ticketing capabilities in stages, according to unique financial and implementation goals, airlines are able to meet immediate and forthcoming industry demands quickly and cost-effectively,” added the company.