HAHNAIR
with over 100,000 travel agencies across 190 markets worldwide. For context, that means the company facilitates ticket sales in virtually every corner of the globe, from major metropolitan centres to emerging markets. The complexity of managing payment acceptance across such a vast network requires both technological sophistication and deep regional expertise.“ We are the bridge between customers and travel companies, helping them to complete the transaction,” he says about his team’ s role.“ If the transaction’ s not completed, you don’ t get the service.”
His team constantly evaluates payment methods, determining which are essential, desirable or could add marketing value. They research options, consult with external partners, implement new payment methods and manage them throughout their lifecycle. The company’ s core business model addresses a quite fundamental challenge in the airline industry. Airlines have their core markets and established customer bases, but expanding globally presents logistical and technical hurdles that many carriers struggle with. Hahnair’ s services are invaluable here, providing distribution solutions that make airline tickets available through a vast network of travel agents. On the other side, travel agents gain access to hundreds of airlines they might not otherwise be able to offer their customers.
“ We’ re enabling those travel agents to sell more airlines and, at the same time, give those airlines access to more customers,” Benjamin explains.
“ We’ re not about taking a bigger piece of the pie, but we’ re about increasing the size of the pie for everyone”
Benjamin Sibbald, Head of Payments Hahnair
This two-sided marketplace approach has made the company, which was founded in 1999, an invaluable piece of the global travel puzzle. The firm has been quietly revolutionising airline distribution for more than a quarter of a century now, and it does not intend to sit still any time soon.
The company underwent a major rebranding to coincide with its 25th anniversary in 2024, in terms of branding, image and technology. It has also launched Distriply, a new brand focused on New Distribution Capabilities( NDC), which represents the airline industry’ s shift toward more modern, flexible distribution channels. But technology alone doesn’ t explain the company’ s success. Benjamin emphasises that Hahnair’ s people set it apart from competitors, with account managers who possess deep regional knowledge and maintain strong relationships with partners.“ You don’ t buy from businesses, you buy from people,” he says.
44 February 2026