KENYA AIRWAYS and MTN Uganda have entered a new strategic partnership that allows their customers in Uganda to pay for their air tickets through the MTN Mobile Money electronic money transfer platform. The innovative payment option that was launched by the two firms in Kampala today is an effort to tap into developments in Information and Communication Technology to improve customer experience.
Speaking during the launch, Kenya Airways’ Head of Information Systems Development, Henry Obare, noted that it will allow the airline’s customers to plan and pay for their travel wherever they are. It follows the successful deployment of a similar payment option in neighbouring Kenya, where customers can pay for their tickets through M-PESA, a mobile money transfer system by Safaricom. “In line with our brand promise of consistently delivering a world-class experience, Kenya Airways is striking strategic partnerships across our markets that will enable us to harness technological advances to provide an unmatched service,” Mr Obare added.
With the launch of the MTN Mobile Money payment option, customers can book and pay for their tickets virtually, without having to visit Kenya Airways’ offices or travel agents. In addition to this, they can check in online. The Chief Marketing Officer at MTN Uganda, Ernst Fonternel, said that the new partnership with Kenya Airways would afford their customers convenience and with speed.
Kenya Airways operates five times daily flights between Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport and its hub in Nairobi, and serves almost 50 African destinations.
Kenya Airways, a member of the Sky Team Alliance, is a leading African airline flying to over 59 destinations worldwide, most of which are in Africa and carries over three million passengers annually. It continues to modernize its fleet with its 41 aircraft fleet being one of the most modern in Africa. The on-board service is renowned and the lie-flat business class seat on the wide-body aircraft is consistently voted among the world’s top 10. Kenya Airways takes pride in being in the forefront of connecting Africa to the world and the World to Africa through its hub Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi.
Launched in 1998, MTN Uganda is the leading communications operator in Uganda, offering Mobile and Fixed telecommunications, Mobile Money Services and Internet Service Provisioning. As of 30 June, 2013, MTN Uganda had recorded eight million subscribers across Uganda.
Mr Moses used MTN Mobile Money to purchase a Kenya Airways ticket to Nairobi soon after the product was launched.