PAL opts for ‘paperless’ processing at Naia

MANILA, Philippines–Flag carrier Philippine Airlines this week will introduce “paperless” ticket processing at Terminal 2 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila.

PAL, in collaboration with the Manila International Airport Authority, said the system would remove the need for paper documents and instead rely on digital images of tickets for passengers entering the terminal.

The project will be implemented starting Monday, March 16.

But PAL noted that other forms of travel documents “will still be accepted during the initial phase of the project.” These include the traditional paper ticket, the printed itinerary receipt, and the printed e-boarding pass for passengers opting for web check-in, the airline said in a statement last week.

In describing how the new system works, PAL said passengers entering the airport would be asked by airport security to show an image of their e-ticket on his personal electronic device, whether smartphone, tablet or laptop.

This image should match the one sent by PAL to the passenger’s device when the ticket was purchased.

During the initial phase of implementation, PAL representatives will be temporarily posted at the Naia Terminal 2 entrance to assist passengers and security personnel in applying the new scheme.

This initiative by the flag carrier is in line with the mandate of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for member airlines to eliminate paper documents and move to a completely paperless environment by 2016.

Passengers are reminded to bring their necessary travel documents such as valid identification cards with photograph and passports for security and check-in requirement, PAL added.