Innovation

💸 Yanolja Co Ltd reported a 186% increase in total transaction volume to USD$18.3 billion in 2024. Operating revenue rose 22% to USD$625.6 million. CEO Sujin Lee attributes growth to Enterprise Solutions and Consumer Platform with a 62% revenue increase in Enterprise Solutions. Partnerships with Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services, and collaboration with OpenAI aim to develop an AI-powered data platform. Yanolja Cloud serves over 1.3 million travel businesses and 21,000 sales channels. NOL Universe integrates consumer channels for a holistic ecosystem beyond travel.

📡 United Airlines received FAA approval for its first Starlink-equipped Embraer 175, with the inaugural commercial flight set for May. The partnership, announced eight months prior, aims to complete installations on over 300 two-cabin regional jets by the end of the year, averaging 40 installs monthly. Beta testing is currently underway to ensure passenger satisfaction. United, partnering with Starlink, is working to obtain STCs for over 16 aircraft types to enhance the inflight experience with lighter, more reliable, and fuel-efficient technology.

🚀 TravelPerk, celebrating a decade in business, undergoes a rebrand to symbolize its expansion and new vision. Collaborated with Wolff Olins, it introduces 'Perk Green' to diverge from the conventional industry blue. The rebrand highlights the shift to an integrated travel and expense management platform. VP of Global Marketing, Jada Balster led the initiative, aiming to resonate with various users like employees, CFOs, and travel managers. Marked by acquisitions of ClickTravel, AmTrav, and Yokoy, and a $200 million Series E funding, TravelPerk targets the US market growth. The refreshed brand identity will be implemented across all platforms and launched through a campaign this month.

📌 UATP, a global payment network, announced HRS as a new merchant, enabling UATP payments for business travelers and groups with HRS' corporate lodging technology. This partnership marks UATP's first large-scale hotel acceptance, offering direct access to HRS' business-travel ready hotels and integrated invoice automation, billing, and reconciliation. Announced one day before UATP’s Airline Distribution® 2025 event in Budapest, the collaboration aims to create an ecosystem for business travel, optimize corporate account holders, and expand UATP's footprint amidst rising corporate travel demand. HRS' AI-powered platform technology and UATP's payment expertise offer enhanced automation and reporting for corporate travel managers.

📌 UATP, a global payment network, announced HRS, a corporate lodging and payment platform, as a new UATP Merchant, marking UATP's first major move into hotel acceptance. This partnership allows for UATP payments at a wide array of business-travel ready hotels and offers invoice automation, billing, and reconciliation from a single provider. The announcement came ahead of UATP’s Airline Distribution® 2025 event in Budapest, with discussions led by UATP CEO Ralph Kaiser and HRS CEO Tobias Ragge on March 19. The collaboration is expected to enhance payment efficiency for corporate travel managers, HRS’ core market, where UATP accounts are commonly used. HRS provides an AI-powered platform for hotel procurement, booking, and payment, while UATP adds its payment expertise to the sector. Both companies aim for mutual benefits from their aligned technological innovations.

💳 UATP, a global payment network, partnered with HRS, a corporate lodging and payment platform, becoming a UATP Merchant to accept payments for business travelers. This partnership allows access to HRS' business-travel ready hotels and provides invoice automation and financial reporting. Announced on the eve of UATP's Airline Distribution 2025 conference in Budapest, it marks UATP's entry into hotel acceptance. HRS' AI-infused platform and UATP's payment expertise aim to streamline corporate travel and payments, expanding options for travel suppliers.