The International Air Transport Association said on Wednesday that paper airline tickets would be dropped from 1 June, 2008 by its member carriers, saving the companies $3-billion a year and the planet 50 000 trees.

An IATA spokespersoan said the measure, adoped in 2004 by all 240 IATA members, would come into effect as planned on June 1.

Most IATA airlines have already dropped paper in favour of electronic tickets.

IATA estimates that in addition to the direct cost savings, the move will save some 50 000 trees a year that would have otherwise been cut down to make the paper required.

AFP