Emirates, a fast-growing international airline based in the Middle East, has implemented GlobalCollect’s payment processing service to offer alternative payment solutions for bookings on www.emirates.com. Starting in 37 countries across the world, customers can choose from a wide range of popular alternative payment methods hosted by GlobalCollect, including local credit and debit cards, local bank transfers, real time bank transfers, cash (Western Union Quick Pay), direct debits, and eWallets (PayPal). Future plans include adding further countries and payment products.

The integration of GlobalCollect’s single-interface payment platform WebCollect allows Emirates to offer payment options which are often locally preferred and result in lower processing fees, thereby more efficiently penetrating existing and emerging online markets. Simultaneously, the airline can now reach additional consumer segments interested in booking online that do not own or prefer not to use a credit card. With this unique service model, GlobalCollect enables Emirates to grow sales while reducing costs through streamlined back office and vendor management processes.

Richard Vaughan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Worldwide, said: "Emirates selected GlobalCollect as an additional payment service provider because of the wide range of payment options it provides and the geographical spread of markets it supports. The partnership will enable Emirates’ customers to pay for their purchase in the easiest and most user-friendly way. As a full-service payment service provider, GlobalCollect simplifies the process of settlement of funds across the various markets and payment options, while helping Emirates to keep the payment processing costs low and achieve a more effective management of payment risks."

Jan Manten, CEO of GlobalCollect, added: "We are delighted to add Emirates to our ever growing list of airline clients, such as KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, LAN Airlines and Air China to name a few. GlobalCollect has a clear understanding of the worldwide payment landscape and the significance of offering alternative payment methods to grow any business. After years of servicing this industry, our airline consultants were ideally qualified to advise Emirates on implementing their alternative e-payment strategy and offer a one-stop shop solution."