AirAsia and eNett Make Booking Cheaper and Safer for Agents

18th Nov 2015

Asia’s biggest low-cost carrier, AirAsia and eNett International have signed a partnership deal today enabling agents to purchase AirAsia tickets at a much lower price using VANs (Virtual Account Numbers).

This will allow agents to skip the current surcharges attached to traditional credit card payments, which will greatly reduce the cost of booking for them.

The airline will add the option to use VANs as a payment option to its agency booking platform and will also accept it through the Travelport Travel Commerce Platform. Head of Sales for AirAsia Group Rayner Teo Kheng Hock said about the agreement with eNett:

We’re committed to offering the most competitive fares in the market. Reducing the cost of booking means agents can use these savings to offer the lowest prices to their customers. It also means we can reduce the cost of processing payments and incentivize agents to book with us, keeping our cost base down and supporting our rapid expansion globally.

CEO and managing director of eNett Anthony Hynes added:

I am pleased to be able to support AirAsia with its ambitious growth plans. Through VANs, AirAsia gains access to a broader range of agents, while receiving immediate and guaranteed payment. For agents, paying by VANs reduces cost, while gaining significant efficiency gains through integration. The end result is agents can spend more time and resources growing their own business.

He concluded:

This partnership illustrates how implementing innovative B2B payment models and technology can bring tangible benefits for the industry as a whole.

AirAsia will roll out the solution early next year, and it will first use it on AirAsia X flights. After this, VANs will be extended to other AirAsia brands and markets beyond Malaysia throughout 2016.

What are Virtual Account Numbers?

eNett VANs, or Virtual Account Numbers are automatically generated MasterCard numbers used for supplier payment. These can include different payment parameters, like merchant, currency, date or amount, which makes it one of the more secure payment options.