FlySafair first to enable card payment for inflight refreshments

Johannesburg - FlySafair has become the first local low-cost carrier to offer card payments on all of its flights.

The airline has officially launched AviaPay, a new mobile point of sale system which enables passengers to use their credit and debit cards to purchase refreshments inflight. 

The solution, which is the result of a partnership between BlueMarket Retail Solutions and payment service providers PayGate and PosMarket, was specifically designed to address the needs of the aviation industry.

Commenting on the innovation Kirby Gordon, head of sales and distribution at FlySafair, said: “Not only will this make transacting easier, but it also means passengers won’t have to risk carrying cash on them."

• READ: Airlink and Safair seek regulatory approval to merge

Another major benefit of the technology is that FlySafair can now provide travellers with receipts, regardless of the payment method used. This will help business travellers manage their expense claims, and also assist travel management teams who process these claims.

Theron Uys, business development director at BlueMarket, said that that while working with FlySafair, the company was able to implement this system in a two-month period.

"There are already discussions around added functionality," said Uys. "Look out for new innovations to be launched in the near future with FlySafair."

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