The carrier currently has Interline e-ticketing agreements with 26 international airlines, which is a significant development.

Gulf Air plan to fully implement e-ticketing and IET by the end of the year, well ahead of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) deadline for 100% implementation of e-ticketing, which was recently extended to May 2008. The carrier also hopes to increase it IET tie-ups to about 35 airlines by the same period.

While e-ticket take-up in the Middle East is behind the world average, Gulf Air has been a leader in implementing the technology in the region. The carrier is well above the market average in terms of passenger usage of e-ticketing in markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

To encourage more people adapt e-ticket culture, Gulf Air will further expand the surcharge of US$25 (for those still insisting on paper-tickets) in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Canada from 1 September, while it will be implemented in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait and Nepal from 1 October.