Copa Airlines Unveils New Support for Key Alternative Payment Methods in Partnership with UATP

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UATP enables Copa Airlines to enhance security and provide more payment options to travelers with the addition of Paysafe's solutions

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.

UATP is a global payment solution owned and operated by the world's airlines and accepted by thousands of merchants for air, rail and travel agency payments. UATP connects airlines to Alternative Forms of Payment which can expand reach and generate incremental sales globally. UATP offers easy-to-use data tools, DataStream(SM) and DataMine(SM), which provide comprehensive account details to Issuers and Corporate Subscribers for accurate travel management. UATP is accepted as a form of payment for corporate business travel worldwide by airlines, travel agencies and Amtrak; UATP accounts are issued by: Aeromexico, APG Airlines, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Air Niugini, American Airlines, Austrian Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, EL AL Israel Airlines, Etihad Airways, Frontier Airlines, GOL Linhas aereas inteligentes S.A., Hahn Air; Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas Airways, Shandong Airlines, Transavia Airlines, TUIfly GmbH, Turkish Airline, United Airlines, and WestJet. AirPlus International issues the UATP-based Company Account for: British Airways and Lufthansa German Airlines. (PRNewsFoto/Universal Air Travel Plan, Inc.)
UATP is a global payment solution owned and operated by the world's airlines and accepted by thousands of merchants for air, rail and travel agency payments. UATP connects airlines to Alternative Forms of Payment which can expand reach and generate incremental sales globally. UATP offers easy-to-use data tools, DataStream(SM) and DataMine(SM), which provide comprehensive account details to Issuers and Corporate Subscribers for accurate travel management. UATP is accepted as a form of payment for corporate business travel worldwide by airlines, travel agencies and Amtrak; UATP accounts are issued by: Aeromexico, APG Airlines, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Air Niugini, American Airlines, Austrian Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Delta Air Lines, EL AL Israel Airlines, Etihad Airways, Frontier Airlines, GOL Linhas aereas inteligentes S.A., Hahn Air; Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas Airways, Shandong Airlines, Transavia Airlines, TUIfly GmbH, Turkish Airline, United Airlines, and WestJet. AirPlus International issues the UATP-based Company Account for: British Airways and Lufthansa German Airlines. (PRNewsFoto/Universal Air Travel Plan, Inc.)

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."