UATP, a global payment network owned by airline companies, has joined forces with CITCON to give network airlines access to major Chinese payment brands.

The partnership will allow UATP member air carriers to accept payments made through Chinese mobile payment services such as Alipay, WeChat Pay and China UnionPay over UATP’s own payment network.

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The above-mentioned payments brands are said to be used by over one billion Chinese consumers.

CITCON president and COO Wei Jiang said: “This partnership grants UATP’s member airlines with additional mobile payment capabilities which are cost effective and traveler-centric, allowing over one billion Chinese consumers to pay for airline purchases in their preferred way; and marketing capabilities that enable merchants to deliver a higher level of personalized service to increase sales and passenger loyalty.

“Having a compelling vision for payments becomes a key aspect of an airline’s broader digitisation strategy, ultimately transforming the airline from being flight-centric and transactional in nature, towards becoming a truly traveler-centric service provider.”

CITCON is key service provider for Chinese mobile wallets in North America and Europe. It is the lone fully licensed US-based acquirer of Alipay, WeChat Pay and China UnionPay.

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UATP president and CEO Ralph Kaiser said: “There is strong demand for acceptance of WeChat Pay, Alipay, CUP and others by the flying public.

“In today’s unprecedented industry environment, UATP is pleased to be able to continue to build partnerships, such as our CITCON relationship, that will provide airlines with a deepening payment strategy that will be necessary once more flyers are present.”