EthiopianEthiopian Airlines, the fastest growing and most profitable airline in Africa, has partnered with payment leader Worldpay to streamline its business transactions and meet the needs of its global customer base.

Ashna Bhawan at Worldpay worked with Ethiopian Airlines to implement a customized payment solution that integrates with Ethiopian Airlines’ sales channels and Sabre Reservation System to process payments on behalf of Ethiopian. Worldpay’s global acquiring network reduces the cost and risk associated with international payment acceptance, whilst maximising global customer reach by connecting to locally preferred payment methods. This helps Ethiopian Airlines to show prices in their customers’ local currency, enhancing sales conversions.

Nega Mekonnen, CFO Ethiopian Airlines, said, “Ethiopian is pleased to partner with Worldpay to further enhance our potential to meet our 15 years strategic roadmap and cement our position as Africa’s premier airline. It also allows us to offer our customers a wider range of payment options to suit their preferences.”

Mike Parkinson, VP Airlines at Worldpay said “The payments landscape can be complex, and it is important for airlines to establish a payment infrastructure that delivers a commercial advantage. Worldpay’s expertise is an important factor in helping an innovative and expansionist carrier such as Ethiopian Airlines to meet its goals.”

Ethiopian is implementing a 15-year strategic plan, Vision 2025, which will see it become the leading Aviation Group in Africa, offering its passengers international standard product with five star service delivery. Ethiopian Airlines has won multiple awards for its outstanding and sustainable performance, including 2014 Africa’s Best Business Class Airline, 2014 Bombardier Airline Reliability Performance Award, SKYTRAX World Airline Award for Best Airline Staff Service in Africa for its outstanding customer service, and 2013 APEX Passengers’ Choice Best Airline in Africa.

About Worldpay
Worldpay is a leading global provider of payment and risk services, processing millions of transactions every day. Worldpay is a unification of seven leading retail payment solutions and offers a range of services including acquiring, gateway, alternative payments, risk management, and mobile payments. Worldpay became an independent company in December 2010.

Twitter: @Worldpay
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Worldpay

Worldpay press contacts
Roberta Main-Millar / Phoebe Scott
Octopus Group for Worldpay
+44 (0)845 3700 655
pr@worldpay.com

About Ethiopian
Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the fastest growing airline in Africa. In its operations in the past close to seven decades, Ethiopian has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivaled in efficiency and operational success.

Ethiopian commands the lion share of the pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to more than 81 international destinations across five continents. Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as the Boeing 787, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200LR Freighter and Bombardier Q-400 with double cabin. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft.

Ethiopian is currently implementing a 15-year strategic plan called Vision 2025 that will see it become the leading aviation group in Africa with seven business centers: Ethiopian Domestic and Regional Airline; Ethiopian International Passenger Airline; Ethiopian Cargo; Ethiopian MRO; Ethiopian Aviation Academy; Ethiopian In-flight Catering Services; and Ethiopian Ground Service. Ethiopian is a multi-award winning airline registering an average growth of 25% in the past seven years.

For more information, please contact:
Hanna Atnafu
Manager PR & Publications
Ethiopian Airlines

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: (251-1) 517-84-07

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