AirAsia Zest, Robinsons tie up for cash payment system

ow cost carrier AirAsia Zest, jointly owned by Philippines AirAsia and Zest Airways, has tied up with obinsons Inc.

AirAsia Zest commercial chief erard Peñaflor said the partnership would help the airline expand its cash payment system but tapping the 40 branches of obinsons Department Stores all over the country.

Peñaflor said the airline’s cash payment partner service provides the convenience of paying cash at any obinsons Department Store for airline seats and other online purchases at www. airasia. com.

We are expanding our cash payment partner service to include obinsons Department Store to provide optimum convenience for our guests and allow them access to our low fares and other exclusive online bargain deals without using their credit or debit cards, he said.

Cash payment partner service covers all AirAsia Zest flights to and from Manila to domestic and international destinations in Malaysia, China and orea.

obinsons Department Store general manager ohnson o said the partnership would benefit close to 120 million yearly shoppers of obinsons who may opt to pay their airline tickets in the branches.

AirAsia Zest supports our vision of providing Filipinos with affordable and world-class products and services, which makes them a great partner for us and will benefit our over 120 million annual store visitors. Both brands excel in offering the best value and utmost convenience for customers, o added.

AirAsia Zest cash payment service involves three easy steps.

First, passenger books a flight through www.airasia.com followed by clicking the payment option button. nce booking is confi rmed, system would generate a reference number with total amount due, to be presented to any obinsons Department Store sales counter.

Flight must be at least five days from the time of booking and cash payment should be settled up to 12 hours.

-ticket would be automatically sent to the passenger ’ s registered e- mail address after payment has been made.

AirAsia Philippines and ZestAir entered into a strategic alliance agreement in March 11 last year.

AirAsia Philippines completed the acquisition of an percent economic interest and 4 percent voting rights in ZestAir as well as a 100 percent interest in Alfredo ao s Asiawide Airways Inc. last May 10.

In exchange, ao s ZestAir got 1 million as well as 1 percent interest in AirAsia Philippines.

ZestAir is controlled by ao while AirAsia roup through chief executive officer Tan Sri Tony Fernandes has a 40 percent interest in AirAsia Philippines together with Filipino shareholders including Maan ontiveros, Antonio Tonyboy Cojuangco r., and Michael omero who own 0 percent.

After the transaction, the shares of ontiveros, Cojunagco, and omero in AirAsia Philippines were diluted with the entry of ao while the AirAsia roup was maintained its stake at 40 percent.