The first private high-speed train operator in
the Spanish market by number of frequencies is now able to accept
UATP payments, growing its exposure to the corporate travel
market
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UATP, the global network that
enables organizations to simplify payment processes and expand
their payment capabilities, today announced that iryo, the leading
Spanish private high-speed railway operator by number of
frequencies owned by its partners Trenitalia, Air Nostrum and
Globalvia, has become a UATP Merchant. The partnership enables iryo
to accept UATP payments for train bookings, a critical capability
as demand for rail travel surges.
UATP Merchant status makes it easier for iryo to sell its
high-speed rail tickets to corporate travelers, the market for
which is expected to spike under favorable conditions. Spain's rail network is in the second phase of
liberalization, intensifying competition and driving
innovation—particularly in high-speed rail—while business travel
volumes continue to climb. As rail travel has become increasingly
attractive to corporate travelers, the partnership between iryo and
UATP comes at an ideal time.
Driving High-Speed Rail Innovation Across Spain and
Beyond
Since launching in Spain in
2022, iryo has expanded its high-speed network, linking major
cities, including Barcelona,
Seville, Madrid, Zaragoza, Málaga, Córdoba, Zaragoza,
Cuenca, Valencia, Albacete and
Valencia. Its fleet of
Frecciarossa trains enhances connectivity across the country. iryo
considers itself a "mobility integrator" in Spain, committed to the digitization of the
rail travel experience as well as sustainable transportation.
"At iryo, we are continuously thinking about new ways to create
and deliver value," says Juanjo
Quesada, Head of Distribution at iryo. "Our collaboration
with UATP adds value for our corporate partners, while creating a
strategic growth opportunity for our company. We look forward to a
long and successful partnership."
UATP Enters Growing Spanish Rail Market
The partnership with iryo marks UATP's entry into the Spanish
rail market. In 2023, rail transport reached a record 653.7
million passengers, 20.7 % increase from the previous year.
Spain's high-speed rail sector,
fueled in part by iryo's expansion, witnessed similar a surge in
passenger numbers, surpassing 8.4 million travelers in the
third quarter alone—setting a new record.
"Rail has long been integral to travel in Spain and across Europe, and we believe its role in corporate
travel will become ever more important," said Zach Ornelas, SVP Commercial for UATP.
"Partnering with iryo, one of Spain's most innovative rail operators and a
company that shares our vision for connected, digitally enabled
travel experiences, is a strategic milestone for us."
The Benefits of the UATP Merchant Network
Participating as a Merchant in the UATP network enables travel
providers like iryo to accept UATP payments in a variety of sales
channels and connect to a variety of alternative forms of payment
(AFPs). As a UATP Merchant, iryo can increase conversion rates and
reduce transaction costs while minimizing risk and enhancing its
service to corporate clients.
For more information about the UATP and the partnership with
iryo or to speak with a UATP company executive, please contact
Wendy Ward at
wendy.ward@uatp.com.
ABOUT UATP
UATP is the global payment network simplifying payments in complex
industries. We make it easy for businesses to make or accept any
type of payment; open new markets, drive growth, and reduce costs
for Issuers, Merchants, vendors, agents, aggregators, and more.
UATP is continually innovating to connect companies to new forms of
payment (AFPs), and our easy-to-use data tools, DataStream®
and DataMine®, provide comprehensive account details to
Issuers and Corporate Account Holders. Our team has decades of
experience with the ever-changing payments landscape, and our
reliable and proven technology ensures our global customers get
more from every payment experience. Learn more at uatp.com.
Accepted as a form of payment for corporate business travel
worldwide by airlines, travel agencies and Amtrak®; UATP accounts
are issued by Aeromexico; Air Canada (TSE: AC); Air China; Air New
Zealand (ANZFF.PK); Air Niugini; AirPlus International a wholly
owned subsidiary of SEB Kort; American Airlines
(NASDAQ: AAL); APG Airlines; Austrian Airlines; Avianca
Airlines; BCD Travel; China Eastern Airlines
(NYSE: CEA); Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL);
EL AL Israel Airlines; Etihad Airways; Fareportal; Frontier
Airlines; GOL Linhas Aereas inteligentes S.A.
(NYSE: GOL and Bovespa: GOLL4); Hahn Air; High
Point Travel; Japan Airlines (9201:JP); JetBlue Airways; LATAM
Airlines; Link Airways; Qantas Airways (QUBSF.PK); Shandong
Airlines; Sichuan Airlines; Southwest Airlines; Sun Country
Airlines; TUIfly GmbH; Turkish Airlines (ISE: THYAO); United
Airlines (NASDQAQ: UAL) and WestJet.
About Iryo
iryo is the first private Spanish high-speed railway operator by
number of frequencies and fleet volume and is owned by partners
Trenitalia, Air Nostrum and Globalvia. The company began operations
in 2022 with the only fleet of new trains on the market: in its
first phase, 20 state-of-the-art units manufactured by Hitachi
Rail-Alstom Group in which it has invested 800 million euros. The company won package B –
the second with the highest number of frequencies after that
awarded to Renfe – in the tender launched by ADIF in November 2019 for the liberalization of rail
transport in Spain. iryo is led by
Carlos Bertomeu, President; and
Simone Gorini, CEO. For
more information, visit www.iryo.eu
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SOURCE UATP
