It is assumed that from June 1, 2008, IATA member airlines will have to issue only electronic airline tickets. However, this is unlikely to be achieved in the countries of the former Soviet Union, where most airlines and airports are not yet ready to abandon paper tickets. It is likely that the circulation of paper tickets will continue here at least until the end of the year, and quite possibly into the next year.
IATA launched a program to stimulate the transition to electronic tickets in 2004 with the aim of reducing costs for the aviation industry. At that time, 18% of tickets were electronic; now that figure reaches 93%. IATA considers Africa (83%) and the Middle East (84%) as problematic regions, and the most difficult – Russia and the CIS (54%). IATA sent its experts there to help with a rapid transition to electronic tickets. As Travel.ru notes, IATA has already had to postpone the date for abolishing paper tickets by five months, but now the organization intends to see it through.