Auckland Airport has signed a joint promotion and marketing agreement with Alipay, China’s leading online payment solution. Alipay is owned by Ant Financial Services Group, which is part of e-commerce giant Alibaba Group.
Jason Delamore, Auckland Airport’s general manager – marketing and technology, says, “This agreement will help us improve the customer experience for travellers from China, our 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 specialty retail and food and beverage offer, and for our retailers to gain access to the growing Chinese market. That’s a win for everyone.”
Alipay will work with participating airport retailers to set them up with the Alipay mobile payment platform. Once the platform is in place, customers will be able to use their Alipay mobile accounts to make purchases.
Mr Delamore says 20 of the airport’s retail stores have 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’s Changi Airport, Hong Kong International Airport and Munich Airport.
Alipay currently has over 450 million users in China. Over 80,000 retailers accept Alipay in Asia, Europe and North America.
“This is an exciting development for Auckland Airport,” says Mr Delamore. “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.
“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.”
In the year to 30 June 2016, Auckland Airport welcomed over 713,000 arriving and departing passengers from China.
