In China from today paper air tickets will begin to disappear, said an expert with the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China (CAAC).  

From today the International Air Transport Association (IATA) will stop providing paper tickets, which currently account for more than 70 percent of China's air ticket sales, according to the organization.

All Chinese airlines will be promoting the purchase of electronic tickets by the end of this year, said Li Qi, an expert at the security technology center of the CAAC. "E-ticketing will reduce the operational costs of airlines making possible a drop in prices," said Li.

The cost of issuing an e-ticket is around a tenth of the paper version, according to the IATA which requires its 261 member airlines to abandon traditional tickets by the end of 2007. With e-ticketing passengers can make reservations on line or by phone and check in with just a number.

However, it seems many passengers feel insecure about not actually having a ticket in their hands. Also it can be difficult for business travelers to claim reimbursement as some airports and ticket agencies are unable to print vouchers for e-tickets, according to experts.

Facing such difficulties the system for purchasing e-tickets requires to be improved along with the after sales service, said Zhu Qingyu, who's in charge of market research at the China Air Transport Association.

(Shanghai Daily October 16, 2006)