Ant International and Capital A join to boost digital payment services

By Gloria Mathias

Ant International and Capital A Berhad, owner of AirAsia, have formed a collaboration in various areas, exploring integrating more local payment methods and providing payment orchestration services to Capital A’s platforms.

The comprehensive partnership covers collaborative initiatives between Ant International’s Alipay+ cross-border payment, marketing and digitalization technology solutions, payment orchestration services, and other business segments, and businesses under Capital A, including AirAsia, the one-stop travel platform AirAsia MOVE, and finance app BigPay.

Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A said, “We’re thrilled to embark on this transformative journey with Ant International. Their global recognition as a financial technology powerhouse, coupled with their unparalleled expertise, is poised to propel rapid growth for our fintech venture BigPay and our online travel app (OTA) AirAsia MOVE. Both entities are dedicated to agile expansion, and this partnership promises to accelerate our collective mission of providing seamless financial services and affordable travel experiences to our customers worldwide.

Yang Peng, CEO of Ant International said, “We are very excited to join hands with Capital A to start a new chapter of cross-industry digitalization, building on the strong synergy between us. By leveraging Ant International’s innovative digital technology solutions and Capital A’s robust global ecosystem, we can bring more seamless services and diversified growth pathways for consumers and businesses in the region and beyond.”

Both sides agreed that AirAsia MOVE will work with Ant International to integrate Alipay+ e-wallets as payment options within the MOVE’s payment flow and explore the use of various Wallet Tech including super app-related solutions as well as developing mini-program within the Alipay+ ecosystem.

The service builds on Alipay+’s extensive regional partnerships, including those with national QR schemes including Singapore’s SGQR, Malaysia’s PayNet, South Korea’s ZeroPay, Sri Lanka’s LankaPay and Cambodia’s KHQR.

Ant International and Capital A will also work together to promote sustainability initiatives such as advancing global digital inclusion, cultivating digital talent and promoting sustainable travel programs, as the two companies agreed.