Worldline and YeePay Partner to Streamline Cross-Border Payments in China

Partnership Targets China’s Aviation and Travel Sector

Worldline and YeePay have agreed a strategic partnership to expand cross-border payment options in China’s aviation and travel industry, the companies said in a joint statement. The initiative is set to serve both international airlines operating in China and Chinese carriers flying overseas, providing a “one-stop” platform for secure and compliant transactions.

The collaboration brings together Worldline’s global acquiring network and experience in aviation payments with YeePay’s position in China’s travel payment ecosystem. Airlines will be able to streamline settlement and cut transaction costs, while passengers gain access to a broader range of payment methods from local card schemes to international credit cards and digital wallets.

Investor Takeaway

Streamlined Settlement Through Global Collect

The service will run via Worldline’s Global Collect platform, aiming to speed up settlement, simplify processing and ensure compliance with Chinese and European regulatory standards. Both firms said the offering is built to meet anti-money laundering, data protection and consumer rights rules across jurisdictions, areas where scrutiny of payment providers is increasing.

For airlines, the integration is pitched as a way to in a sector where fragmented systems and multiple local regulations add cost. For travellers, easier access to diverse payment methods is expected to cut friction at booking and support the wider recovery in cross-border travel.

Recovery in Outbound Tourism Provides Tailwinds

The launch comes as China’s outbound tourism continues to rebound, with industry data showing cross-border travel at about 80% of pre-pandemic levels. The recovery has been assisted by new visa-free entry policies and a wider network of international routes. Both Worldline and YeePay are positioning the partnership to benefit from this upswing, aiming to support airlines as they rebuild capacity.

Worldline’s reach across Europe and other to overseas passengers, while YeePay’s domestic presence provides international airlines with a smoother route into the Chinese travel market.

Investor Takeaway

Industry Context and Competitive Landscape

Airlines have long faced challenges from fragmented payment systems that complicate settlement and inflate costs, especially in cross-border bookings involving multiple currencies and local regulations. Payment processors view aviation as a market where efficiency gains can deliver clear value to carriers and passengers alike.

For France-based Worldline, the agreement adds to its expansion in Asia-Pacific, a region where it has been building scale. YeePay, one of China’s largest independent , offers local expertise and regulatory knowledge in a tightly controlled market. Together, the firms said they can deliver a compliant service that meets both airline and consumer requirements.

The partnership reflects how payments companies are racing to capture growth from global travel’s revival. As China reopens more of its skies to foreign carriers and outbound tourists, the collaboration will test whether streamlined, compliant payments can assist airlines reduce costs and support rising demand.