Outpayce from Amadeus and UnionPay International have entered a partnership that will allow airlines to accept UnionPay cards directly through their payment systems.
The agreement enables airlines using Outpayce’s Xchange Payments Platform to process UnionPay transactions natively across both direct and indirect booking channels. Native acceptance is expected to begin in the first half of 2026, with rollout across markets continuing through the year.
UnionPay cards are issued in 85 countries and regions and can be used in 183 markets. The payment method is widely used by travellers in Asia-Pacific, making it relevant for airlines serving Chinese outbound markets.
According to ResearchAndMarkets, Chinese outbound travel is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13.5 per cent, increasing from US$140 billion to US$386 billion by 2033.
Under the new arrangement, travellers booking through the Amadeus Travel Platform can be redirected to complete payments directly with the airline using UnionPay cards. This allows access to services such as loyalty benefits that may require direct payment with the airline.
For airlines, direct processing of payments is expected to improve cash flow and provide greater control over areas such as fraud management. It also allows airlines to offer consistent payment options across their own websites and third-party distribution channels.
The Amadeus Travel Platform connects travel providers, including airlines, hotels and rail operators, with more than 60,000 travel sellers.
“UnionPay has established a solid presence in the airline payment vertical. By deepening cooperation with Amadeus, UnionPay cards will be fully integrated into the underlying technology of airline distribution,” said Bomme Sheng, global director of UnionPay International.
“We are committed to enabling a smooth payment experience in every channel however the traveller chooses to pay,” added Damian Alonso, head of product and partnerships at Outpayce.
