MANILA, Philippines–Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) and the group of businessman Manuel V. Panglinan-led have sealed a partnership—not for an investment deal—but for a project to jointly develop a ticket booking app for smartphones and tablet computers.
PAL said in a statement that the agreement was signed with Smart Communications, a unit of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and part of Pangilinan’s group.
The app payment gateway called “MePay” was developed by Smart e-Money Inc.
“The new app will facilitate access to PAL’s online booking system and the integration of ‘MePay’ as its core payment gateway, making it much easier for PAL passengers to pay for their tickets, track flight status and check-in online,” the statement showed.
The PAL Web app will be unveiled in the coming months, while the mobile app for both iOS and Android phones will be released early next year, it added.
This tie-up will also allow the 70 million Smart, Talk ‘N Text and Sun Cellular subscribers to access the upcoming PAL mobile app and mobile website without any data charges.
“With smartphone adoption increasing around the country, it is but natural for PAL to extend their perks and services for flyers to their mobile phones,” Smart president and CEO Napoleon L. Nazareno said in the statement.
PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime J. Bautista said, the new service marked “the flag carrier’s latest initiative aimed at enhancing the total customer experience when booking and paying for a flight… It is one of PAL’s innovations in line with its commitment to keep in step with advancements in technology for the benefit of passengers.”
The new payment facility further expands the menu of ticket payment options for PAL passengers.
The MePay platform will allow PAL to accept all types and modes of payment including credit card, debit card, Smart Money, ATM and offline transactions.
MePay also leverages on SMI’s expansive network of more than 10,000 Smart Padala centers nationwide, which means customers can pay through sari-sari stores, convenience stores and outlets that are part of the Smart Padala network.
This app will augment PAL’s existing payment channels such as PAL Internet Booking Engine, authorized payment partners, PAL ticketing offices and partner travel agencies.