United to Stop Issuing Paper Tickets by 2004

United Airlines plans to stop issuing paper tickets in the U.S. by July 2003 and worldwide by January 2004 to cut costs at the world’s second-largest carrier.

From Thursday until July 2003, customers in the U.S. who ask for paper tickets and are eligible for an electronic version will have to pay a $20 fee, the UAL Corp. unit said. Customers outside the U.S. won’t be charged the fee. United’s action follows a similar move last month by AMR Corp.’s American Airlines, its larger rival.

About 70% of United’s tickets already are issued in electronic form, a spokeswoman said.

UAL stock closed up $1.17 at $5.95 on the NYSE.