E Conference Goes to the Rail Industry
eAirRail Conference Drives Multi-Modal Paperless Travel
Rail and airport operators met in Dusseldorf to discuss the future of travel- a single seamless electronic ticket for each journey easily available for sale around the world, involving all modes of transportation, including air, rail and ferry.
eAirRail Conference held 3-4 April 2006 and organized jointly by the organizers of E Conference and the International Air Rail Organisation (IARO) examined key issues for rail operators including electronic ticketing, fare distribution and CRM. While the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called for an end to paper airline tickets by the end of 2007, the rail industry has not taken a similar industry-wide approach. Rail tickets are also not widely available for sale via the GDS, as many rail operators only distribute fares through train stations and via their own websites. eAirRail Conference Chairman Frank Socha commented: “We believe that rail operators must distribute their fares more widely via the GDS and the internet and eliminate paper tickets to remain competitive with airlines, cut costs and increase sales.” Each of the major GDS was represented at eAirRail Conference, confirming that while airlines developed the Global Distribution Systems, worldwide distribution via the GDS is an valid option to provide global reach for providers of all modes of transportation.
Stephen Tso (left) flanked by Mark Ahasic, JetBlue
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Stephen Tso, Assistant General Manager of Hong Kong Airport, in speaking about Hong Kong’s SkyPier, firmly outlined the goal of eAirRail conference. SkyPier, the world’s first passenger ferry port inside an airport, will soon be integrated with air and rail operators around the world, allowing a single electronic ticket from anywhere in the world to six destinations in China’s Pearl River Delta. Imagine a single seamless electronic ticket with through check baggage involving a rail journey from |
London’s Paddington Station to London’s Heathrow Airport, an air ticket from Heathrow to Hong Kong and a ferry ticket from Hong Kong to Macao. This future will soon be a reality.
Due to the very strong response to eAirRail Conference, we expect E Conference to work further with the rail industry, so please stay tuned. Also, stay tuned for news about E Conference 2006! This airline focused event will highlight the latest in airline distribution.
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