Philippine Airlines expands e-ticketing to Davao, Zambo, P. Princesa

Philippine Airlines is expanding its newly implemented electronic ticketing service to cover three more domestic destinations this month before moving on to the international sector in the second half of the year as the flag carrier ramps up its automation thrust.

On June 1, PAL started offering e-tickets on flights between Manila and Davao, and between Manila and Zamboanga. On June 7, the service will also be available on flights between Manila and Puerto Princesa.

By September, PAL is to introduce e-tickets on flights to Los Angeles and San Francisco. Other trans-Pacific destinations are expected to follow shortly after.

In December, a planned electronic interline system with American Airlines is projected to come on stream, in which either carrier can issue e-tickets on the other's flights.

If successfully carried out, this will make American, the world's largest carrier, PAL's first partner airline in e-ticketing. The two have long had an interline arrangement, albeit in paper tickets.

PAL's foray into e-ticketing brings it into step with major international carriers, which use the technology extensively.

The flag carrier launched e-ticketing last May 1 on flights between Manila and Cebu. The facility enables passengers to book and pay for seats by telephone or through the Internet. The transaction is recorded as a computer entry, obviating the need for paper documents.