UATP CEO Chairs Opening Payments Session At The First IATA World Financial Symposium

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Sep 30, 2014, 08:00 ET

ABU DHABI, Sept. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The first IATA World Financial Symposium (WFS), hosted by Etihad Airways, took place 14-18 September in Abu Dhabi. WFS focused on supporting sustained airline financial health and brought together 750 executives to discuss financial challenges and issues in today's aviation industry.

Ralph Kaiser, president and CEO, UATP, chaired the opening presentation, "The Payment Riddle: Combining Security, Convenience and Cost" on 18 September. This session was dedicated to effective payment strategies and reducing the USD 7 billion in fees that airlines pay to collect their earned revenue.

"Effective payment strategies are critical," said Kaiser in his opening statement. "Having the right strategy can significantly reduce cost and potentially provide incremental revenue."

Kaiser moderated the afternoon panel session, "Seriously, is there anything that could dethrone cards," which delved into emerging payment options in the airline industry, including mobile payments and bitcoin. The panel was comprised of the following industry experts: Tom Cunningham, Vice President, Business Development, UATP; Cyril Dougier, Head of Business Development, MyBank; Jeremy Dyball, VP Airline Business, Elavon; and Celia Pereiro, Head of Travel Payments Business Unit, Amadeus.

The symposium included three additional tracks which explored regulatory changes, environmental requirements, global GDP projections and causes for low profitability in the airline industry. In addition to this, WFS housed the industry's most essential meetings, the 3rd SIS General Meeting, the 9th ICH User Group Meeting and the 11th AIA Services General Meeting, and the 48th Revenue Accounting Meeting.

For more information or to view a recording of the session, visit UATP.com

About UATP

UATP is a global payment solution owned and operated by the world's airlines and accepted by thousands of merchants for air, rail, hotel and travel agency payments. UATP offers easy-to-use data tools, DataStream℠ and DataMine℠, which provide comprehensive account details to Issuers and Corporate Subscribers for accurate travel management.

Accepted as a form of payment for corporate business travel worldwide by airlines, travel agencies and Amtrak®; UATP accounts are issued by: Aeromexico; Air New Zealand (ANZFF.PK); Air Nuigini; American Airlines (NYSE: AAL); Austrian Airlines; China Eastern Airlines (NYSE: CEA); Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL); EL AL Israel Airlines; Etihad Airways; GOL Linhas aereas inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and Bovespa: GOLL4); Hahn Air; Japan Airlines (9201:JP); Luhfthansa German Airlines; Malaysia Airlines; Qantas Airways (QUBSF.PK); Shandong Airlines; United Airlines (NYSE: UAL); and US Airways.

Contact:
UATP Corporate Communications
Wendy Ward, [email protected]
+1 202 626 4077

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SOURCE UATP