Kenya Airways and Equity bank have partnered to allow their customers easily purchase air tickets on their mobile phones using “Equitel” – mobile banking service. Besides Safaricom’s Mpesa mobile banking platform; travelers using the national carrier KQ will now have an option to book their tickets reliably and conveniently using Equitel. Equity bank has seen tremendous growth on its thin sim mobile banking platform – Equitel, with a record 6,470 percent growth in loan disbursement since its introduction in July 2015.
According to James Mwangi – Equity bank’s CEO, Equitel has processed loans amounting to Kshs.20.8 billion as at the end of June 30th 2016, reflecting a tremendous 6,470 percent increase compared to Kshs.0.3 billion realized when the platform launched back in July 2015. Currently, Equitel accounts for 82percent of the banks loans and is expected to continue reducing the banks costs.
On the other hand, Kenya Airways will benefit from convenient air ticket payments to any of its 54 destinations by enabling travelers submit payments via Equitel. The service does not attract any additional costs. Tickets can be paid for using Equitel via Paybill Number 777887.