Paperless travel: Airlines switch to e-tickets

The conversion of paper airline tickets to electronic ones is nearly complete in the Middle East, says the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Major carriers such as Emirates and Etihad Airways both report that they will be compliant in time for a June 1 e-ticket conversion deadline.

The IATA has been pushing for e-tickets to save the industry operating costs – they cost $9 (Dh33) less than a paper ticket.

Travellers holding e-tickets will only need to present their passport and their e-ticket number and they will receive boarding passes while checking in.

Bryan Wilson, e-ticket Project Director for IATA, said this "is an important step ahead for air travel".