http://www.atwonline.com/news/other.html?issueDate=8/4/2006 IATA said yesterday that global e-ticketing penetration in airline billing and settlement plans reached 54% as of June 30. The organization noted that 156 airlines, responsible for 87% of BSP ticket volumes globally, now issue e-tickets. Europe and the Americas lead the way, with 67% and 68% penetration by those regions' airlines respectively in June. Currently, 23 airlines issue 95% or more of their tickets electronically. IATA has set Dec. 31, 2007, as its goal for 100% e-ticketing worldwide. Separately, IATA's board of governors set Dec. 31, 2008, as a deadline for airlines to implement the capability to issue industry standard barcoded boarding passes that enable Web check-in for multileg and interline trips. Such barcodes "must fully replace magnetic strip boarding passes now being used at airports." The board also mandated that IATA explore the potential use of RFID for cargo carriage, inflight needs and aircraft parts management. It additionally reiterated its desire to see paper documentation eliminated from air cargo transport but conceded that the "legal framework" does not exist in any country to move to a full "e-freight" system. --------------------------------- See the all-new, redesigned Yahoo.com. Check it out.