As the number of Chinese passengers has increased sharply at Helsinki Airport, the airport enables Alipay. The first commercial operators at Helsinki Airport adopted the Chinese Alipay mobile payment application in December 2016. Being able to use a familiar payment method for Chinese passengers will further improve airport’s service experience.
Chinese passengers are the most rapidly growing customer group at Helsinki Airport, and the group that use the most money. “We work hard to offer them the best possible service experience. Familiar and easy payment options increase the feeling of smooth and safe travel for Chinese passengers,” says Finavia's Elena Stenholm, director of commercial services at Helsinki Airport.
Helsinki Airport is among the first airports in Europe to enable Alipay.
“As far as we know, the only other airports accepting Alipay are Munich and Frankfurt. Seven commercial service points have now adopted it at Helsinki Airport, and many others are interested. China UnionPay is already available at most airport outlets,” says Stenholm.
Alipay can now be used to pay at the airport’s Iittala, M-Box, Finspiration, Lindroos and Moomin shop outlets. Finavia's intent is to have all airport's commercial operators accepting Alipay.
Alipay is a part of world’s largest online trading company Alibaba. Alipay is China's leading mobile payment giant which has approximately 400 million users according to its own website.
In Finland, Lapland is a particular attraction for Chinese tourists. Alibaba’s travel service provider AliTrip has announced that it will bring 50,000 Chinese tourists to Rovaniemi during 2017.
Finavia has responded by bringing Chinese-speaking service guides to Helsinki Airport and by adding signs in Chinese. In autumn 2016, the staff exchange program between Finavia and Beijing Airport helped increase knowledge of the Chinese service culture and the needs of Chinese travellers.
Helsinki Airport has an account Chinese social media channel Weibo. A WeChat account will be opened in 2017. Weibo has approximately 300 million and WeChat more than 800 million active monthly users.
Helsinki Airport is the leading hub for air traffic between Europe and Asia. It offers the fastest and shortest route between the continents.
