Smart, PAL tie up for mobile app

MANILA, Philippines - Wireless giant Smart Communications Inc., a unit of dominant carrier Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), has tied up with national flag carrier Philippine Airlines Inc. (PAL).

PLDT and Smart president and chief executive officer Napoleon Nazareno said the tie-up would 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. This partnership is part of our commitment to allow our subscribers to ‘live more’ by also making it convenient for them to travel more, wherever they may please,” Nazareno said.

Under the partnership, both companies would jointly develop an app to enable PAL passengers to conveniently book and pay for their flights using their mobile devices such smartphones and tablets.

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.

MePay is the groundbreaking payment gateway developed by Smart e-Money Inc. (SMI), a subsidiary of Smart.

For his part, PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista said the new service is the flag carrier’s latest initiative aimed at enhancing the total customer experience when booking and paying for a flight via mobile devices.

“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,” Bautista said.

The new payment facility further expands the menu of ticket payment options for PAL passengers. MePay is a revolutionary payments platform allowing PAL to accept payment from all types methods, including credit card, debit card, Smart Money, ATM and offline payments, among others.

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.

Bautista pointed out that the innovation would augment PAL’s existing payment channels such as the PAL Internet Booking Engine, authorized payment partners, PAL ticketing offices and partner travel agencies.

The PAL web app would be unveiled in the coming months while the mobile app for both iOS and Android phones would be released early next year.

The Tan Group through Buona Sorte and Horizon Global Investments bought back the 49 percent interest of San Miguel Equity Investments Inc. of diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC) last Sept. 15 for a total consideration of $1.3 billion.

It would be recalled that SMC through San Miguel Equity Investments Inc. (SMEII) bought a 49 percent stake in Trustmark Holdings Corp. in April 2012 for a total consideration of $500 million. It embarked on an ambitious massive fleet renewal program involving the acquisition of 100 brand new aircraft.

Trustmark owns and controls 89.78 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of PAL Holdings that owns 98.27 percent of PAL.