Lufthansa first airline in Malta to introduce electronic ticketing

Lufthansa German Airlines is the first airline in Malta to introduce electronic ticketing. After the first tests and introduction in Germany in 1996, more than 200 Lufthansa destinations in 25 countries now offer this service.

ETIX allows passengers more flexibility and saves them considerable time. There is no waiting for tickets to be issued and no need to pick them up either.

Passengers flying with an ETIX simply book their flight by phone giving the number of their Lufthansa customer or credit card. The ticket is then stored in the Lufthansa computer system.

At the airport ETIX passengers check in with their Lufthansa customer or credit card. They are then issued with a boarding pass and baggage tag in the usual way. Passangers using a Lufthansa customer card will have their bonus miles automatically credited to their mileage account.

"This new technical development allows passengers to easily make reservations by phone or through the Internet or even with a WAP mobile phone in a few seconds and without any paperwork", Carsten Boemelburg, manager sales and passenger services for Malta, said.

"Our next goal will now be the automatisation of the check-in procedure, so that travellers holding an ETIX will be able to check in automatically," Mr Boemelburg added.

Travellers not wishing to fly with an electronic ticket will still be issued with the usual paper ticket.