Hahnair And WorldPay Drive Global Airline Payment Revolution

In the fast-evolving world of financial technology, the need for tailored payment solutions has never been more apparent. Nowhere is this more evident than in the global airline industry, where companies like Hahnair are at the forefront of both technological and strategic innovation. Over the past decade, Hahnair has quietly become a linchpin in the travel sector, connecting more than 350 airlines with over 100,000 travel agencies across 190 markets worldwide, according to AI Journal and recent interviews with the company’s Head of Payments, Ben Sibbald.

Fintech innovation is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, transforming everything from digital wallets and mobile banking apps to blockchain-based platforms and AI-driven risk analysis tools. At the heart of this transformation lies custom fintech development—a strategy that enables organizations to build solutions precisely tailored to their operational, regulatory, and user experience needs. As AI Journal points out, off-the-shelf software may offer a quick fix, but it often falls short when it comes to the intricate demands of global finance. Custom solutions, on the other hand, provide greater control, scalability, and long-term value.

For Hahnair, this approach isn’t just theoretical—it’s baked into the company’s DNA. Founded in 1999 and celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024 with a major rebranding, Hahnair has consistently addressed one of the airline industry’s most fundamental challenges: enabling seamless ticket sales and payment acceptance across a labyrinth of international markets. Their new brand, Distriply, focuses on New Distribution Capabilities (NDC), reflecting the industry’s shift toward more modern, flexible distribution channels.

“We are the bridge between customers and travel companies, helping them to complete the transaction,” Sibbald explains. “If the transaction’s not completed, you don’t get the service.” His team’s remit is broad and complex: they constantly evaluate payment methods, determine which are essential or desirable for each market, and implement them in ways that minimize risk and maximize customer satisfaction.

Custom fintech development is particularly vital in industries with stringent security standards and ever-evolving regulations. Hahnair’s operations span 190 markets, but their payment acceptance strategies are anything but one-size-fits-all. The company currently accepts credit card payments in 112 markets, adapting to local banking infrastructures and card schemes such as Visa, MasterCard, UnionPay, JCB, and Diners Club Discover. In some regions, local card schemes are critical, while in others, international networks dominate. As Sibbald puts it, “Practically every country uses credit cards differently and for different reasons.”

Security and compliance are non-negotiable priorities for both fintech developers and global payment providers like Hahnair. AI Journal highlights how custom solutions allow for multi-layered security protocols—biometric authentication, tokenization, intrusion detection, and continuous monitoring—tailored to specific threat models and regional requirements. Compliance with frameworks such as PCI DSS, GDPR, AML, and KYC is built in from the ground up, ensuring platforms can adapt to new legal requirements with minimal disruption.

To further reduce fraud and chargeback risks, Hahnair has embraced virtual credit cards. These transaction-specific cards are tightly controlled, making them particularly effective in managing risk for both the company and its travel agent partners. “Virtual cards eliminate that risk because they are transaction-specific, tightly controlled, and clearly attributable to a single booking, which lowers fraud and ‘unrecognised transaction’ disputes,” Sibbald notes.

Scalability and performance optimization are also critical in the airline sector, where transaction volumes can fluctuate dramatically. AI Journal emphasizes the use of microservices, containerization, and cloud infrastructure in modern fintech platforms, allowing systems to handle rapid user growth and peak usage times without sacrificing reliability. Hahnair’s payment strategy includes BSP Cash, IATA EasyPay, UATP card solutions, and international credit cards—all selected with an eye toward flexibility, performance, and local relevance.

But technology alone doesn’t explain Hahnair’s success. Sibbald is quick to credit the company’s people, particularly its account managers, who possess deep regional knowledge and maintain strong relationships with partners. “You don’t buy from businesses, you buy from people,” he says. This human touch ensures that payment methods are chosen and implemented with a true understanding of local needs, rather than relying solely on data from global providers.

Hahnair’s ten-year partnership with WorldPay, a global payment services provider, exemplifies the power of collaboration in fintech. WorldPay’s merchant acquiring and file handling services have enabled Hahnair to broaden their payment options and improve acceptance rates. After migrating to WorldPay’s service, Hahnair saw acceptance rates increase by approximately 20%, a change that translates to millions in recovered revenue for the company. Cost optimization is another benefit; WorldPay’s analysis of Hahnair’s US processing led to considerable savings, which, when multiplied across enormous transaction volumes, have a significant impact on the bottom line.

The relationship between Hahnair and WorldPay goes beyond the typical vendor-client dynamic. Sibbald describes a spirit of candid collaboration, with direct communication between himself and Thomas Helldorf, who leads WorldPay’s airline division. “He literally wrote the book on airline payments,” Sibbald says, expressing his appreciation for the close partnership. Regular meetings and even WhatsApp conversations ensure that ideas and challenges are addressed in real-time, driving ongoing innovation and problem-solving.

Customer experience remains a central focus for Hahnair. The company faces an ongoing debate between maximizing payment choice and minimizing friction. Some customers value having a wide array of payment options—PayPal, Pix, Rupay, Vero—while others prioritize a seamless, single-click experience with Apple Pay or Google Pay. “The importance is finding a balance,” Sibbald suggests. In travel, where transactions are large and carry significant emotional weight, a little friction is sometimes acceptable if it leads to greater security and peace of mind.

Financial inclusion is another guiding principle for Hahnair. With such an extensive global network, excluding people due to payment limitations runs counter to the company’s mission. “The idea of someone not being able to participate in a market place due to a financial obstacle is motivating us to do better,” Sibbald says. This commitment to inclusion drives ongoing efforts to adapt payment methods to local needs and ensure that as many people as possible can access airline services.

Looking ahead, the payment landscape is set to become even more fragmented, not less. Sibbald predicts the rise of multiple country-specific card schemes and super apps that accept a dizzying array of payment methods. “I actually think there’s going to be an ever growing number of options, including really country-specific ones as well,” he observes. This trend reflects broader pressures for nations to control financial networks and keep transaction profits within their borders.

While AI and agentic commerce are hot topics in tech circles, Sibbald remains cautious about their role in travel payments. He echoes IBM’s principle that computers can never be held accountable, asking, “Why then, should we implicitly trust AI with something as personally important as holidays or travel?” For now, Hahnair’s focus remains on enabling its partners to operate effectively, leveraging both technology and human expertise to deliver secure, scalable, and user-friendly payment solutions.

In the ever-evolving world of fintech and travel, companies like Hahnair demonstrate that the key to success lies in a blend of cutting-edge technology, deep market understanding, and genuine human collaboration. As the industry continues to change, those who prioritize adaptability, security, and inclusivity will be best positioned to thrive.