Panama’s leading airline, Copa Airlines, has partnered with UATP, the renowned global network enabling organizations to simplify payment processes. The partnership will integrate with Paysafe, a leading payments platform, through its SafetyPay solution, into Copa Airlines’ payment offerings at Copa.com, enabling online cash payments, bank transfers, PIX instant payments and cross-border transactions for consumers worldwide.
Like other high-growth airlines, Copa Airlines finds its direct booking channel to be its strongest revenue source. Yet, its intricate digital payment infrastructure would benefit from integrating new payment methods, including alternative forms of payment (AFPs) such as Paysafe’s SafetyPay. To fortify its expansion strategy, Copa sought a partner capable of quickly integrating these new payment options for its passengers.
Copa Airlines selected UATP as a partner for its rapid integration capabilities and deep industry expertise. By accepting AFPs through the UATP Network, Copa Airlines not only gains access to UATP’s vast network of AFPs but also capitalizes on the rising demand for alternative payments, which saw a global volume of $19 trillion in 2022, fueling its business growth.
“Being able to offer payment methods like online cash, bank transfers and cross-border transactions, which enhances customer confidence in their transactions, is critical,” says Alicia Racine, Merchandising and Ancillary Revenue Manager of Copa Airlines. “Paysafe’s SafetyPay not only ensures heightened security for our customers but also offers us a streamlined approach to integrating alternative payment methods into our booking process, maximizing conversions.”
The UATP Network: Streamlining Airline Payments with Global Reach and Efficiency
Airlines can instantly access UATP’s extensive global AFP portfolio through a single integration with the UATP Network, enabling market speed and facilitating new market entry. UATP further simplifies airline operations with daily reconciliation for more efficient billing statement reviews and automated refunds, eliminating the need for manual transaction reconciliations.
“Our partnership with Copa Airlines to launch SafetyPay is a great example of airlines’ trust in UATP’s expertise in processing AFPs, an essential part of their business strategy,” says Zach Ornelas, Senior Vice President of Commercial, UATP. “We have a proven track record of integrating alternative forms of payment into complex legacy systems for the global travel industry. Airlines know and trust us with these critical processes in their direct channel.”
By leveraging the UATP Network to add additional payment methods such as SafetyPay, Copa Airlines will be able to expand its client reach and increase sales.
Paysafe’s SafetyPay: enabling merchants to offer multicurrency and cross-border payments
SafetyPay, a Paysafe Company, offers a secure online or digital cash payment solution that lets shoppers make internet purchases either directly from their online bank accounts in real-time with their local currency or by paying in cash at partner local retailers using a code. The payment methods are free for consumers and easy to use. This broadens the payment choices for airline customers who are hesitant to enter financial data or use credit cards when purchasing their travel or simply prefer paying via bank transfers or cash. SafetyPay currently serves millions of international shoppers in the emerging Latin American market, including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, Mexico, El Salvador, Panama and Guatemala.
For more information about the UATP and COPA Airlines partnership to implement Paysafe’s SafetyPay or to speak with company executives, please contact Wendy Ward at [email protected].
to view the press release, click here.
