The partnership with the flag carrier of
Sri Lanka is emblematic of UATP's
increasing presence in Southeast
Asia and the Indian subcontinent
WASHINGTON, April 10,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SriLankan Airlines, the
national airline of Sri Lanka, has
reaffirmed its Merchant status with UATP, the global payment
network that enables organizations to simplify payment processes to
expand their payment capabilities. As part of the UATP network,
SriLankan Airlines can accept UATP payments in a variety of sales
channels across multiple countries and currencies, ultimately
helping the airline fuel its expansion and profitability goals.
As a UATP Merchant, SriLankan Airlines will be able to reduce
its overall payment acceptance costs - and therefore its
distribution costs as well as access sellers whose preferred
payment method is UATP, including major travel agencies and
corporate travel management companies. These are vital competitive
advantages for a carrier operating in the fast-growing and crowded
Southeast Asian marketplace.
UATP's regional growth strategy
For UATP,
already one of the most far-reaching and reputable global payment
networks, working with SriLankan Airlines is an integral part of
its growth plan, reinforcing its presence on the Indian
subcontinent and opening new markets for the network. Strengthening
its relationship with SriLankan Airlines is part of UATP's broader
strategic plan to introduce its payment solutions to a more
comprehensive selection of merchants in India and Southeast
Asia.
"Being a part of the UATP network is vital to our operating
strategy and a key driver of our regional growth," says Senior
Manager Commercial Services & Support, SriLankan Airlines,
Gayan Wickrama. "Our Merchant status
helps us stay competitive by reducing our payment costs and
expanding our sales capabilities, and we look forward to continuing
our relationship with UATP as we grow."
As Sri Lanka's National
Carrier, SriLankan Airlines serves a global route network of 113
destinations in 59 countries from its hub at Bandaranaike
International Airport in Colombo.
Flying since 1979, SriLankan Airlines enjoys a reputation for
service, comfort, safety and reliability. That reputation is
supported by several industry awards, including being named Leading
International Airline - South Asia
at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) this year. It is the
largest airline in Sri Lanka by
number of aircraft and destinations.
"SriLankan Airlines is an ideal partner for UATP, and we are
proud to help this award-winning airline reach more travelers in
more markets and serve their payment needs better," says
Zach Ornelas, SVP Commercial for
UATP. "We anticipate continuing this long-term, mutually beneficial
relationship for many years to come."
An unrivalled travel payment network
Participating as
a Merchant in the UATP network enables airlines to accept UATP
payments in a variety of sales channels, pay lower merchant service
fees and connect to a variety of alternative forms of payment
(AFPs). As a UATP Merchant, airlines like SriLankan Airlines can
increase conversion rates and reduce transaction costs while
minimizing risk and improving their ability to service corporate
clients.
For more information about the UATP and SriLankan Airlines
partnership or to speak with company executives, please contact
Wendy Ward at
wendy.ward@uatp.com.
ABOUT UATP
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® and DataMine®, which provide
comprehensive account details to Issuers and Corporate Account
Holders for accurate travel management.
Accepted as a form of payment for corporate business travel
worldwide by airlines, travel agencies and Amtrak®;
UATP accounts are issued by: Aeromexico; AERTiCKET; Air Canada
(TSE: AC); Air China; Air New Zealand (ANZFF.PK); Air Niugini;
American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL); APG Airlines; Austrian Airlines;
Avianca Airlines; BCD Travel; China Eastern Airlines (NYSE:
CEA); ConnexPay; Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL); EL AL Israel
Airlines; Etihad Airways; Fareportal; Frontier Airlines; GOL
Linhas Aereas inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and Bovespa: GOLL4);
Hahn Air; High Point Travel; Japan Airlines (9201:JP); JetBlue
Airways; LATAM Airlines; Link Airways; Qantas Airways (QUBSF.PK);
Shandong Airlines; Sichuan Airlines; Southwest Airlines; Sun
Country Airlines; TUIfly GmbH; Turkish Airlines (ISE: THYAO);
United Airlines (NASDQAQ: UAL) and WestJet. AirPlus International
issues the UATP-based Company Account for Lufthansa German
Airlines.
ABOUT SRILANKAN AIRLINES:
SriLankan Airlines, the
National Carrier of Sri Lanka and
a member of the oneworld alliance, is an award-winning airline with
a firm reputation as a global leader in service, comfort, safety
and reliability.
Launched in 1979, the airline's hub is located at Bandaranaike
International Airport in Colombo
providing convenient connections to its global network (including
codeshare partners) of 113 destinations in 59 countries around the
world. Its direct route map covers major cities across the
Europe, Australia, Middle
East, Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and the Far East. The Airline
operates an all-Airbus fleet including a state-of-the-art A330-300
and modern A320/321neo fleet.
The latest accolades won by the Airline include, PATA Gold
Awards 2023- Marketing Carrier, APEX IFSA Best Inflight Food or
Beverage 2024 Award- Sri Lankan Flavours,2023 APEX Passenger Choice
Awards® -for Best Food & Beverage in Central/Southern Asia and Best Seat Comfort in
Central/Southern Asia, Sheikh
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
(SMBR) Global Aviation Awards-Best Aviation Sustainability
Programme (Mathaka upcycling project), World's Leading Airline to
the Indian Ocean title for the sixth consecutive time and
Asia's Leading Airline to the
Indian Ocean title for the fifth consecutive time at World Travel
Awards 2021, and PATA Gold Awards 2021-Marketing Carrier. For more
information visit www.srilankan.com
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SOURCE Universal Air Travel Plan, Inc. (UATP)