Thought this might be of interest :-

16 June 2003 Key News ref 06/03/02

British Airways will introduce an automatic cancellation process for unticketed bookings of published fares (with 72 hour ticketing deadlines) with effect from 24 June 2003. This is intended to protect capacity on our aircraft by cancelling unwanted space and ensure the most accurate seat availability display as possible for those who wish to make bookings.

This process will apply to booking classes N, V, M, K & H and any other classes where a 72 hour ticket time limit applies.

The process will access PNRs (booking records) 72 hours from the time of booking. If ticket numbers are there, then no further action will be taken by this process. If there are no ticket numbers in the PNR, then the booking will be cancelled, thus releasing the unwanted space for someone else.

Notes:

(1) Ticket numbers must be entered in the PNR so that we can identify them.

(2) Messages are generated and appear in PNRs

During test period (ie until 24 June) the warning message is: - Fare requires ticket issue within 72 hours of booking/ PNR liable to cancellation if ticket number not entered-

From 24 June the warning message is: -Ticket number must be entered in PNR in correct format by [date] or booking will autocancel-

Any cancelled PNR will include a message: -Segments cancelled due ticket numbers not received by deadline