Amadeus and payment technology provider Ingenico have launched Amadeus Airport Pay, the industry’s first wireless payment solution that accepts EMV1 chip card payment and can be used by multiple airlines, ground handlers and banks.
Lufthansa Group, as the launch partner, will this month start rolling out the solution at check-in desks and ticket offices in over 170 airports around the globe.
For airlines with separate airport counters for check-in and ancillary payment, this solution provides an opportunity to convert more ancillary sales by eradicating the related inconveniences for passengers. Because Amadeus Airport Pay is not bound to any physical infrastructure, airlines and ground handlers can take payments anywhere in the airport.
“Amadeus Airport Pay enables our travellers to choose customised ancillary services for their flight while checking in or at the gate – securely and with a variety of payment options, and without the need for detours,” said Kai Schilb, head of payment at Lufthansa Group Hub Airlines.
Celia Pereiro, head of travel payments at Amadeus, added: “Airlines and ground handlers can open the door to a smoother trip – imagine roaming agents approaching you while queuing to offer the ancillary service you need – it’s a win-win for the airline and the traveller.”
The new solution also makes it easier for airlines and ground handlers to connect to their banks of choice. Amadeus Airport Pay can be fully integrated in the airline’s sales flow so payments are faster, more accurate and automatically accounted for.
EMV cards have enhanced anti-fraud capabilities at the physical point of sale. At airports, EMV terminals are ubiquitous in duty-free shops but still a rarity in airline check-in desks.
