UATP, which works with over 250 airlines, has signed
deal with Ukash allowing customers to pay for flights over the
internet using cash.
Online cash payment solution Ukash has signed an agreement with
UATP which will make it possible for consumers to pay for flights
over the Internet using cash, it was announced at the annual
Airline Distribution conference today.
UATP, the low cost travel payment network privately owned by the
world's airlines, has been looking for alternative payment
solutions to provide the global airline industry with access to the
lucrative cash market. Its deal with Ukash will open up air travel
to a huge proportion of the world's population that are currently
'unbanked' or without credit or debit cards, as well as those that
choose not to make purchases over the internet due to fears of
online fraud and identity theft.
UATP, which works with over 250 airlines, is diversifying its
product offering as it looks to attract new consumers and maintain
demand for air travel in the difficult current economic
climate.
Ukash customers exchange cash for a prepaid voucher containing a
unique 19-digit number which is then used to pay online. As an
online payment method, Ukash provides those without access to bank
accounts with a viable, safe solution for spending their money over
the Internet and offers a solution to the problem of credit card
fraud.
The secure Ukash voucher number is used to pay online, and as
it's prepaid the payment is assured to the merchant. No financial
details are exchanged with the merchant, making Ukash increasingly
attractive to online consumers concerned about data security.
"Working with UATP to offer Ukash to airlines around the world
will bring considerable benefits. Carriers now have the option to
accept risk-free payments from consumers in countries with low card
penetration whilst reassuring their customers that online payments
are safe", adds Ukash CEO Mark Chirnside.
"The growth of low cost carriers is putting air travel within
reach of many more people so we're delighted to add Ukash to the
range of payment methods we can offer our airline partners",
comments Ralph Kaiser, CEO of UATP. "We want to remove the barriers
to travellers getting online access to the best range of flights
and other travel services so adding payment services like Ukash
that are prepaid and preserve financial anonymity is a great move
forward".
Consumers from across the world can purchase Ukash vouchers
online, on mobile or at more than 275,000 stores globally.