Paper airline tickets will be entirely replaced by electronic alternatives after June next year, says global airline body Iata.

The organisation has placed a final order for some 16.5 million paper tickets to supply 60,000 travel agents around the world until 31 May, 2008. After that all Iata-accredited agencies will move onto e-ticketing systems.

And, also from next year, 100 per cent of tickets issued through Iata’s billing and settlement plan (BSP) will be electronic.

‘This is last call for paper tickets, said Iata chief executive Giovanni Bisignani. ‘It has been 38 months since we launched the drive for 100 per cent e-ticketing and it went from 16 per cent in June, 2004 to 84 per cent today.’

Iata’s settlement system issues more than 400 million tickets a year, with the final order of 16.5 million taking into account an estimate of current paper ticket stocks and estimated demand to ensure an adequate robust supply.

E-ticketing will save up to $9 (£4.50) per ticket and $3bn (1.5bn) annually across the industry, said Bisignani. It will also save the equivalent of 50,000 mature trees each year in reduced paper usage.

‘We are changing an industry with tangible benefits for travellers, agents, airlines and the environment,’ he said. ‘Consumers enjoy the convenience and flexibility of paperless travel and agents have the opportunity to broaden the scope of their business and serve their customers remotely.’