SafeCharge (AIM: SCH), a leading payments technology company, has been selected as a new payment partner by Blue Panorama Airlines, an Italian based airline fully-owned by The Uvet Group. SafeCharge’s Payments Engine is an end-to-end platform providing a smart and direct connection to Visa and MasterCard. For airlines, this all-in-one service is particularly attractive as it enables the implementation of automated payment routing logic, access to detailed data insights and optimal payments success.

Blue Panorama Airlines provides both domestic and international flights to more than one and a half million customers, specialising in flights between Italy and Europe, Africa and the Caribbean, both to tour operators and direct to customers. It also offers low-cost short haul flights through its Blue-Express brand. One of the challenges the airline faced was the ability to accept payments across multiple channels. SafeCharge addresses this challenge by providing cross-channel payment processing to customers that purchase flights through various channels such as travel agencies, via the website, and through dedicated call centres.  

Fraud protection was another key focus area for Blue Panorama Airlines. Fraud checking is a very important component of a successful payment strategy since airlines and other travel providers carry the risk of large transactions over a considerable time period. SafeCharge’s fraud prevention solution supports specific needs and configurations for the airline industry. High risk transactions are redirected to SafeCharge’s Dynamic 3D Secure solution for additional checks. SafeCharge’s dedicated risk management team collaborates closely with Blue Panorama Airlines to continuously improve screening rules and assist in manual reviews directly or via the SafeCharge Merchant Risk Support Interface.

"Blue Panorama is a quintessentially Italian company, dedicated to getting our customers to the most beautiful destinations in comfort and safety," said Giancarlo Zeni, CEO Blue Panorama Airlines. "We want to extend our reputation to our payments acceptance, and working with SafeCharge means we are giving customers the experience, reliability, security and choice of payment method they want, while keeping our business safe from risk of fraud."

SafeCharge is already working with El Al Airlines and several other OTAs globally. The company is rapidly expanding in the travel sector, bringing customised cross-channel payment processing and risk management offerings to the industry.

"We are excited to be providing Blue Panorama Airlines with both local and international payment methods processing as well as advanced risk management solutions," stated David Avgi, CEO of SafeCharge. “We are confident that SafeCharge’s secure, flexible and transparent payments processing will significantly contribute to enhancing Blue Panorama Airlines customer payment experience whether it is via travel agencies, booking directly on their website or through call centres.”