Abacus connected travel agents in Singapore and Thailand now able to issue electronic tickets

Abacus-connected travel agents in Singapore and Thailand can issue electronic tickets (e-tickets) on all British Airways flights from today.

British Airways is one of the 15 carriers worldwide to implement electronic ticketing with Abacus, a move that will enable them to better take advantage of the growing demand for travel within the Asia Pacific region and deliver fast and convenient ticketing for customers.

''More than 54 per cent of our customers currently benefit by using e-tickets and we aim to roll out this service on all our routes by the end of 2004 to respond to this growing customer demand," said Ted Moss from British Airways.

"Abacus' leading presence in Asia-Pacific will enable us to connect with a substantial travel population that is growing at an exponential rate. We are confident that this partnership will increase our turnover while improving the overall experience of our customers," Ted Moss said.

Rogelio Sarreal, Vice President and Head of Associated Sales at Abacus, said travellers in the region were becoming more sophisticated and have embraced new technologies such as e-ticketing.

"Abacus introduced this service to our travel agents in Singapore in 2001 and since then has expanded it to 15 carriers in practically all of our markets across the region," said Mr Sarreal.

"We were one of the first GDSs to offer this facility to travellers and agents in the region. We have implemented e-ticketing for British Airways flights first in Hong Kong and Australia and we plan to work together with British Airways to offer this service in all their Asia-Pacific markets," Mr Sarreal said.