UBER’s China unit will be getting an undisclosed amount of investment from HNA Group as part of a tie-up between the US ride sharing service and the Chinese travel and aviation giant.
China has been difficult to crack for Uber, especially with stiff local competition from Didi Kuaidi, but Uber is now hoping to penetrate the market by targeting tourists with this partnership, and effectively linking itself with the travel industry.
In the agreement, travellers on flights operated by HNA, such as Grand China Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Tianjin Airlines and Lucky Air, will get discounted rates on Uber rides to and from airports worldwide.
Guests staying at all HNA hotels, such as Tangla Hotel Shenzhen and HNA Hotel Shijingshan Beijing, will also get special discounts when using Uber.
Furthermore, HNA-operated airports, including those by its subsidiary Swissport, will be given the option to erect specific areas for Uber drivers and riders to wait at.
