Singapore  - SilkAir and its authorized travel agents have stopped issuing paper tickets, a month ahead of a deadline set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the carrier said Saturday.

Travellers are given an electronic ticket, which they can print and carry with them when flying, said the Singapore Airlines subsidiary.

IATA will stop printing paper tickets starting June 1, saving the industry 2 billion US dollars a year and the equivalent of 50,000 mature trees.

By the deadline, it is expected that 96 per cent of all tickets issued globally will be electronic.

Silk Air operates 14 A320 aircraft to 29 destinations in 11 countries. (dpa)