Abacus introduces e-ticketing to two more airlines in Asia

Abacus International has implemented electronic ticketing facilities on Bangkok Airways and Philippine Airlines, bringing the total number of e-ticket enabled carriers on its network to 18.

Philippine Airlines signed up for electronic ticketing with Abacus on 29 September 2004. Abacus is the first GDS to provide this service to Philippine Airlines, allowing the carrier to offer customers the convenience and cost savings of e-tickets for the first time.

Through this agreement, Abacus-connected travel agents in nine markets including Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand will be able to sell e-tickets for passage on one of The Philippines' premier carriers. The service was introduced through travel agents in the Philippines last month, and will be rolled out to the remaining eight markets by March 2005.

"Travel agents and customers in the Philippines have been warming up to the concept of e-tickets and we felt that it was important that Philippine Airlines provide this service in order to continue with our mission to provide top-notch service to our customers," said Mr. Jaime Bautista, President and COO of Philippine Airlines.

Also, starting today, Abacus-connected travel agents in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan will be able to issue e-tickets for travel on, Asia's boutique airline - Bangkok Airways.

"Making e-tickets available to our customers is a significant step in the growth of the airline," said Mr Peter Wiesner, Vice President, Marketing of Bangkok Airways "Our goal is to continue developing the service and eventually offer e-tickets to all the markets where Bangkok Airways flies."

Bangkok Airways is now offering e-ticketing facilities for all domestic flights within Thailand. Abacus travel agents in Thailand, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Singapore can book e-tickets for passengers travelling on Bangkok Airways Domestic flights from today. The same facility will be available for bookings on International flights early next year.

E-tickets continue to be an increasingly popular option for travellers throughout the region with more than three times as many tickets issued through the Abacus system in September compared to the corresponding period last year. During the month, more than 250,000 e-tickets were sold through the Abacus system.

"More airlines are realising the benefits of electronic ticketing, we foresee that by the end of 2005, we will be able to implement this service on an additional 12 more carriers," said Mr Rogelio Sarreal, Vice President, Associate Sales, Abacus International.

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