UnionPay, ATU Duty Free introduce QR code payments at Turkish airports

By Edil Corneille

UnionPay International (UPI) has teamed up with ATU Duty Free, Turkey’s duty free shop operating chain, to launch UnionPay QR code payment service at the chain’s 45 duty free shops in airports nationwide.

According to UPI, this is the first time for all ATU duty free shops to accept QR code payment, which offers global UnionPay cardholders travelling in Turkey the convenience of digital payment service.

James Yang, General Manager of Unionpay International Middle East Branch said, “Payment behaviors are changing and users are looking for the fastest and the most secure ways to make their payments. UPI has long along been taking this into consideration. ATU Duty Free has been our valuable partner in Turkey over the years and I believe UnionPay users will better enjoy shopping at ATU Duty Free shops with this new experience.”

ATU Duty Free CEO Ersan Arcan stated, “As ATU Duty Free, we always attach importance to following the innovations and maintaining cooperation with global brands. We are considering the changes in passenger and payment behaviors and offer customers QR code payment in our stores with UnionPay. We are launching a new era in shopping with this valuable partnership. I would like to say that, we are happy to provide a modern and safe shopping experience to our clients.”

Established in 2000 as a joint venture between TAV Airports Holding and Unifree Duty Free, ATU Duty Free operates 45 shops at Istanbul New Airport and the country’s other four airports – Ankara Esenboga Airport, Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport, Mugla Bodrum Milas Airport and Antalya Gazipasa Airport.

UPI has partnered with ATU Duty Free since 2015. Currently, over 95 per cent of POS terminals and 85 per cent of ATM terminals accept UnionPay cards in Turkey. UnionPay cardholders can use their UnionPay cards in shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and many others, according to UPI.

With the launch of UnionPay QR code payment, the local payment scene in the country will be powered by digital services. This is expected to speed up the shift in the payment behaviour of going mobile. Apart from Turkey, UnionPay QR code payment has been launched in 41 markets globally, with over 300 million global users.