Career Overview
Airline ticketing and reservations agents book flights, issue and reissue tickets, calculate fares, and help travellers plan journeys.
The core skill is operating GDS systems and fare rules. IATA-standard courses teach these in 3–12 months.
Careers span airline town offices, travel agencies, airport counters and online platforms. IATA-certified agents are also recruited across the Gulf.
What Does This Career Do?
A ticketing agent searches fares on GDS, issues/reissues/refunds tickets, advises customers on routes, baggage and visas, handles disruptions, and processes group bookings.
Daily Responsibilities
Skills Required
Technical Skills
- GDS systems
- Fare construction
- Airline codes
- Reissue/refund procedures
- E-ticketing
- Visa knowledge
- MS Office
- Travel insurance
Soft Skills
- Customer service
- Accuracy
- English + trilingual
- Sales ability
- Patience
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork
- Time management
Education Pathway
- 1O/L
- 2A/L (advantageous)
- 3IATA / ticketing certificate
- 4GDS system training
- 5Junior reservations role
- 6Advanced fares diploma
- 7Senior → travel manager
Entry Requirements
- **After O/L/A/L:** Direct entry to IATA and GDS courses. - **Key qualification:** GDS certification plus IATA foundation/consultant. - **English:** Essential. - **Fast employability:** Agencies hire straight from courses.
Recommended Courses
Diploma in Aviation Management
IATA Certification
Certificate in Airline & Airport Management
BSc in Aeronautical Studies
Advanced Diploma in Aviation Operations
Career Progression
- 1Trainee Reservations Agent
- 2Ticketing Agent
- 3Senior Travel Consultant
- 4Team Leader
- 5Corporate Travel Consultant
- 6Travel Manager
- 7Own Travel Agency
Industries Hiring
Salary Summary
| Experience | Monthly Salary (LKR) |
|---|---|
| 24,000 – 36,000 | |
| 32,000 – 56,000 | |
| 56,000 – 96,000 | |
| 80,000 – 144,000 | |
| 120,000 – 200,000 | |
| 160,000 – 320,000 |
The salary information on this page is intended as a general guide for students and job seekers in Sri Lanka. Actual salaries may vary depending on qualifications, experience, employer, industry, location, job responsibilities, company size, performance, market demand, and additional benefits. The figures shown are estimated monthly salary ranges and are provided for informational purposes only. They should not be considered guaranteed earnings.
Certifications That Increase Salary
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a ticketing agent earn?
What is GDS?
Courses?
How long?
Need A/L?
Staff travel?
Mistakes?
Gulf?
Own agency?
Courses?
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