epax to launch inflight cashpoint machines

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UK credit card validation company epax (owned by Inflight ATI) will soon launch a cashpoint machine for permanent installation onboard aircraft. Following closely behind the introduction of the Skyteller inflight exchange bureaux, epax believes its self-service product is timed to provide a viable alternative.

epax has already developed the necessary software and hardware which will run on the company's Inflight Credit Card Authorization Service (ICCA) using SITA satellite links (shown below). This enables credit card authorisation within 25 seconds for aircraft - with added potential for cruiseships. The company also has longer term plans to expand the use of its cash terminals into areas such as online hotel bookings, car hire and other multimedia applications - with the ability to print vouchers and confirm reservations.

epax ceo Mario Cardinali told TRW: "The drive for cash dispensing is well developed and the need for cashpoints is already established in most countries. We believe that, inflight, the self-service route will be the preferred method for airlines. Ours is a value-added service for passengers and the potential market is very, very large," he commented.

epax expects to announce its finance partner, which is likely to be a high-profile global name such as American Express, within a few weeks. Initially the company is targeting long-haul aircraft, which have more space for the necessary equipment. "We expect to benefit from developments such as the Airbus A3XX aircraft. The more activity in the sky that requires paying for, the better it will be for us," Cardinali told TRW. "epax stands for electronic passengers and our target market includes passengers anywhere on the move," he said.