SUBANG JAYA: Ticket bookings for Firefly are expected to be made easier by the first quarter of 2010 as the airline is currently in talks with several telecommunication companies and financial institutions.

If the deals fall through, customers will be able to pay for their flight bookings using their ATM cards, banks and post offices.

Those who do not own credit cards will now be able to purchase their flight tickets online and they can use their ATM cards to pay. They can also bank in or pay at post offices.

The move, which is part of the airlines, strategy of strengthening their newly added services and improving on their current services for customers' satisfaction in 2010, is now at its final stage.

Head of Marketing and Communications, Angelina C. Fernandez, said one of the major telecommunication companies and five local banks with international networking will be involved.

"The idea is mainly to make it more convenient for passengers and also to provide them a new avenue to make payments for flights. Our aim is to reach out to those living in rural areas. Banks and post offices are found almost everywhere, therefore, we feel this is a good avenue," she said.

Angelina said for those in rural areas who may not not own credit cards, such payment methods are convenient for them and will heighten their interest in flying with Firefly.

She said the airline foresees that the new mode of payment will result in a significant increase in domestic ticket sales next year.

"We are confident that the sales increase will reflect in the third quarter ending September 2010."

Angelina said the increase will not be significant during the first and second quarter of the year as it will be the initial introduction stage of the plan.