Singapore Airlines successfully rolled out Interline Electronic Ticketing (eTicketing) with Malaysia Airlines, effective May 8, 2007.

This cutover represents firm advancements towards Malaysia Airlines' RM400 million Passenger Services System rollout to upgrade all IT infrastructure to facilitate the Airlines' move to the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) standard eTicketing.

This will enable Singapore Airlines ticket offices to issue eTickets to all the destinations it serves to passengers of both airlines. The next phase will cover ticketing by Malaysia Airlines agents in Malaysia and Singapore as well as Singapore Airlines agents worldwide. Subsequently, this initiative will cover all distribution channels of both airlines.

The partnership was formalised on May 8 at Malaysia Airlines' Headquarters in Subang by Singapore Airlines Executive Vice President Marketing & The Regions, Mr. Huang Cheng Eng, and Malaysia Airlines Commercial Director, Dato' Rashid Khan.

A significant aspect of this initiative is both airlines will not consult to set fares together but each airline will determine its own fares independently.

Dato' Rashid said: "We are delighted with the completion of this milestone, interline eTicketing, which sets us firmly on track to be eTicketing capable by September 21. We want to thank Singapore Airlines for coming on board as our first interline eTicketing partner. Their invaluable experience and support have enabled us to overcome many challenges along the way. We are also grateful to both teams and our vendors who have tirelessly worked under tight timelines to complete this project. We will now move to implement this with over 200 airlines worldwide".

Commented Mr Huang: "I am delighted that Malaysia Airlines chose Singapore Airlines as its first Interline eTicketing partner thus further strengthening the already close ties we enjoy.

Interline eTicketing is yet another addition to the long list of collaborative efforts by the two airlines to make air travel between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur as convenient as possible for their customers. I am sure customers of both airlines will welcome eTicketing as this makes travel convenient and hassle-free.

I would like to thank my colleagues in Malaysia Airlines for their dedication, support and cooperation, which are so essential in bringing this project to fruition.

I would also add my thanks to the team from Singapore Airlines and all others who worked very hard to make the cutover a success. It is an accomplishment that we all can be proud of".

With the rollout of Interline eTicketing between both airlines, plans are also under way to implement eTicketing for the shuttle service arrangement on the Kuala Lumpur - Singapore - Kuala Lumpur route.

Also present at this event were Malaysia Airlines Senior General Manager Transition Management, Dr. Amin Khan, Singapore Airlines Senior Vice President South-East Asia, Mr. Teh Ping Choon, Singapore Airlines Vice President Sales & Distribution, Mr. Yeoh Phee Teik, and IATA's 'Simplifying the Business' Regional Programme Manager Asia Pacific, Mr. K.C Yeo.

Photograph: From L-R: Singapore Airlines Vice President Sales & Distribution, Mr Yeoh Phee Teik, Executive Vice President, Marketing & The Regions, Mr Huang Cheng Eng, Malaysia Airlines Commercial Director, Dato' Rashid Khan, Senior General Transition Management, Dr. Amin Khan.