Auckland Airport to implement online payment solution Alipay

NEW ZEALAND. Auckland Airport has signed a joint promotion and marketing agreement with China’s online payment solution Alipay.

The agreement is intended to improve the customer experience for travellers from China, as they will be able to use their Alipay mobile accounts to make purchases at airport retail stores.

Alipay is owned by Ant Financial Services Group, which is part of e-commerce giant Alibaba Group. Alipay will now work with participating airport retailers to set them up with the Alipay mobile payment platform.

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Enhanced experience: 20 of the airport’s retail stores have already signed up to install the Alipay system

Auckland Airport General manager – Marketing and Technology Jason Delamore noted that China was the airport’s fastest growing passenger market. “The Alipay mobile payment technology will make it easier than ever for Chinese travellers and visitors to enjoy Auckland Airport’s expanding speciality retail and food & beverage offer, and for our retailers to gain access to the growing Chinese market,” he said.

Delamore said 20 of the airport’s retail stores had already signed up for Alipay, with more expected to join over time.

The new agreement is part of Alipay’s global ‘Future Airport’ programme, which aims to provide “convenient, comprehensive services to bring a ‘taste of home’ experience” for Chinese travellers around the world.  Auckland Airport is the first airport in Australasia to take part in the programme and joins eight other international airports, including Singapore Changi, Hong Kong International and Munich.

“Mobile payment platforms are enjoying huge growth and they’re fast becoming the most popular way for Chinese travellers to pay for goods and services and share their travel experiences,” said Delamore.

“The Alipay partnership also opens up opportunities to communicate with potential travellers from China before they come to New Zealand and with Chinese visitors while they’re travelling here. We’ll be using those opportunities to promote New Zealand as a destination.”

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