Ethiopian-Abay Bank Partnership Expands Air Ticket Payment Options
Addis Ababa, 31 December 2019
Ethiopian Airlines, the Largest Aviation Group in Africa and SKYTRAX Certified Four Star Global Airline has teamed up with Abay Bank to offer additional digital payment option for buying air tickets through Ethiopian mobile app. The payment option which has gone live as of 13 December 2019further enhances customers’ travel experience thereby expanding the airline’s digital offerings.
The airline is a pioneer in Ethiopia’s e-commerce market and a major player in Africa’s digital payment industry, offering user-friendly solutions to its customers.
Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Miretab Teklay, Director of Integrated Marketing Communications, remarked “We are delighted to team up with Abay Bank and add one more digital payment option into our e-commerce platform to ensure customers’ convenience across all touchpoints. Digitalization being one of the core elements of Vision 2025, we are continuously adapting agile systems in line with global technology trends to deliver unmatched customer experience. As a customer-centric airline, we will continue to roll out more digital options, always keeping the convenience of our passengers in mind.”
Mr. Belete Dagnew, Vice President – Corporate Service at Abay Bank, commented, “Since its establishment, Abay Bank has been working hard to meet the needs of its customers using state-of-the-art technology. Currently, the number of mobile banking service users of the bank has reached over 125,000, and based on the contractual agreement signed between the Bank and Ethiopian, customers can now pay for their airline tickets booked at Ethiopian Airlines using the Bank’s mobile banking service USSD code *812# in a simple and easy way or at any of Abay Bank’s branches.
I would like to express my pleasure at the inaugural ceremony of the Business Partnership between Abay Bank and the flag carrier Airliner and pride of Ethiopia - ET.’’
Contributing 44% of the airline’s domestic sectors online sales, Ethiopian’s user-friendly mobile app offers 6 international and 13 local payment options. The app is made available in three local languages, namely Amharic, Afan Oromo and Tigrinya.
Note to Editors:
About Ethiopian
Ethiopian Airlines Group (Ethiopian) is the largest aviation group in Africa and one of the reputed aviation brands in the world. Ethiopian commands the lion’s share of the Pan-African passenger and cargo network operating the youngest and most modern fleet to 127 international passenger and cargo destinations across five continents. Ethiopian fleet includes 125 ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Airbus A350, Boeing 787-8, Boeing 787-9, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200 Freighter, Bombardier Q-400 double cabin; with an average fleet age of five years. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft. Ethiopian Airlines Group comprises of seven business centers: Ethiopian International Passenger Services, Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services, Ethiopian Express Services, Ethiopian MRO Services, Ethiopian Aviation Academy, Ethiopian Airports and Ethiopian Ground Services. The airline is a multi-award-winning airline registering an average growth of 25% in the past eight years.
The airline has pioneered the e-commerce industry of the country with its robust digitization strategy and execution under its 15-year strategic plan, Vision 2025. It has made a big leap forward in the payment industry of the continent with its multi-purpose mobile app. The user-friendly app contributes 44% of the online sale and is available in 13 local payment options.
For more information about this press release, please contact:
Tel: ( 251-1)517-89-07/8030/ 8656/8165/8913/8529
CorporateCommunication@ethiopianairlines.com
www.facebook.com/ethiopianairlines
About Abay Bank
Abay Bank was officially established on July 14th 2010 and started full-fledged banking operation on November 3, 2010. Currently, the paid up-capital of the bank is Birr 1,7 Billion as of June 30, 2019, and the number of shareholders is 4,158. Since its establishment, the Bank has achieved encouraging achievements by all standards. Its sphere of operation has expanded all over the Country and the total number of branches has reached more than 215 within 9/ Nine years of operation and it has more than 650,000 account holders.
Abay E-Banking Services: Abay bank focuses on the needs and demand of customers to give comfortable and convenient banking by deploying the state -art- of technology. The Bank is committed for providing multi-channel/ E-Banking services to customers that are easy to use - anytime, anywhere. Currently, the Bank’s mobile banking customer’s has reached over 125,000.
The Unique Features of Abay Bank:
- Serving till 9:00 pm Monday to Saturday in all branches,
- Providing fast and modern banking services,
- Rendering consultancy and financial support for entrepreneurs,
- Providing professional advice for clients to be successful in their businesses,
- Working in partnership with clients on feasibility of projects.
- Providing loans to Cooperatives societies through special scheme arrangement with Foreign NGO’s, like USAID…etc.
Abay Bank Contact
Christian Kassa
Director, Business Development & Communication
+251 115 571 344 / +251 930 328 145
christiankassa@gmail.com
