Vietnam Airlines to Sell Electronic Tickets in 2008

The Vietnam Aviation Corporation (Vietnam Airlines) is accelerating the implementation of an electronic ticketing project, which is expected to start operation on January 1, 2008.

 

Vietnam Airlines expects that the first phase of the project will be implemented late this year. Accordingly, passengers will be able to book tickets online and use credit cards for payment. The system will send a confirmation email to passengers. With each ticket, passengers will be given a code to complete procedures for their flights. After completing online transactions, passengers bring their documents to the airport to complete procedures via kiosks, which are equipped with automated transaction equipment. According to representatives from Vietnam Airlines, ticket fares have not yet been set as Vietnam Airlines have to consider fares for ensuring its competitiveness with other international carriers and suitability with Vietnamese people’s pockets.

 

Within a programme on reducing costs and improving the quality of services, the International Aviation Transportation Association (IATA) has initiated electronic ticket services. According to IATA, costs to issue a paper ticket are put at around US$10, while it costs only US$1 for an electronic ticket. For Vietnam, experts estimate that costs for issuing electronic tickets are equal to 10 per cent of costs for issuing paper tickets.