Purpose

Strategic Partners within the Payments Area of Involvement are invited to collaborate with airline payments decision-makers to discuss specific airline industry related challenges with both consumer and corporate type payment methods and how to best address these ensuring a fit for purpose, future proof payments offering. 

*Available as of August 2025

Payments Strategic Partnerships Summary

Payments is a growing area of focus for airlines with the proliferation of payment methods and service providers available in today’s market. Presenting the right payment option at the right time can improve authorization success rates and increase sales conversions, as well as customer satisfaction. The Payments Area of Involvement will bring together airline payments executives and payment service providers to discuss this fast-evolving landscape in order to keep airlines informed of the latest market developments and service offerings.

Benefits

  • Receive an invitation to attend and benefit from networking opportunities at the annual “Airline Industry Payment Day”
  • Interact with global decision-makers and thought leaders in advising the design and optimization of new payment flows and messages for the airline sector
  • Maintain regular contact with Airline Retailing and Payments executives worldwide
  • Connect with IATA subject matter experts
  • Participate in regular SP touch point payment exchange calls on topics directly related to the annual Payment Day meeting agenda
  • Receive an invitation to attend webinars related to “Airline Industry Payment Day” topics

Activities

  • The Airline Industry Payment Day is the premier industry meeting for the world's aviation payments community where all relevant stakeholders come together to first work on enhancing the end-to-end payment process efficiency for cards and instant payment, data quality and to enable innovative payment solutions (AFOPs). This will be achieved through a new payment architecture and modernized payment messages.


These changes will be necessary for airlines migrating to Offers and Orders only but can also be applied by airlines on their direct sales today.

This annual one-day (in-person only) meeting is open exclusively to airlines and Strategic Partners registered in this Area of Involvement. Strategic Partners will have the opportunity to:

  • Take part in interactive discussions
  • Participate on stage (panels, fireside chats, etc.) during the annual meeting (subject to agreement with IATA)
  • Engage with IATA SMEs, airlines and other Strategic Partners
  • Contribute to the delivery of the Industry Payments roadmap
  • Opportunity to conduct webinars during the year with airlines (payment executives and thought leaders) on themes related to the “Airline Industry Payment Day” scope.

Focus Areas

  • Payment Trends
  • Airlines Pain Points and Needs
  • Some Topics of Interest (included but not limited to):
  • Consumer Payments (mainly for direct-to-customers sales)
  • Corporate Payments (for direct-to-customers and intermediated sales)
  • Distribution and Payments Standards (payments standards refer to payment industry standards i.e., ISO)
  • New Product Innovations and Technologies
  • Digital Payments
  • New Emerging Payment Instruments

Designed for

  • Card Schemes
  • New Payment Instruments Providers
  • Payment Acquirers
  • Payment Service Providers
  • Payment Processors / Gateways
  • Payments Consulting Firms
  • Airline Payments Executives
  • Fintech Companies

 

> View the full list of Strategic Partnerships Program Benefits