Private High-Speed Rail Pioneer iryo Becomes First UATP Rail Merchant in Spain

The first private high-speed train operator in the Spanish market by number of frequencies is now able to accept UATP payments, growing its exposure to the corporate travel market

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UATP, the global network that enables organizations to simplify payment processes and expand their payment capabilities, today announced that iryo, the leading Spanish private high-speed railway operator by number of frequencies owned by its partners Trenitalia, Air Nostrum and Globalvia, has become a UATP Merchant. The partnership enables iryo to accept UATP payments for train bookings, a critical capability as demand for rail travel surges.

UATP Merchant status makes it easier for iryo to sell its high-speed rail tickets to corporate travelers, the market for which is expected to spike under favorable conditions. Spain's rail network is in the second phase of liberalization, intensifying competition and driving innovation—particularly in high-speed rail—while business travel volumes continue to climb. As rail travel has become increasingly attractive to corporate travelers, the partnership between iryo and UATP comes at an ideal time.

Driving High-Speed Rail Innovation Across Spain and Beyond

Since launching in Spain in 2022, iryo has expanded its high-speed network, linking major cities, including Barcelona, Seville, Madrid, Zaragoza, Málaga, Córdoba, Zaragoza, Cuenca, Valencia, Albacete and Valencia. Its fleet of Frecciarossa trains enhances connectivity across the country. iryo considers itself a "mobility integrator" in Spain, committed to the digitization of the rail travel experience as well as sustainable transportation.

"At iryo, we are continuously thinking about new ways to create and deliver value," says Juanjo Quesada, Head of Distribution at iryo. "Our collaboration with UATP adds value for our corporate partners, while creating a strategic growth opportunity for our company. We look forward to a long and successful partnership."

UATP Enters Growing Spanish Rail Market

The partnership with iryo marks UATP's entry into the Spanish rail market. In 2023, rail transport reached a record 653.7 million passengers, 20.7 % increase from the previous year. Spain's high-speed rail sector, fueled in part by iryo's expansion, witnessed similar a surge in passenger numbers, surpassing 8.4 million travelers in the third quarter alone—setting a new record.

"Rail has long been integral to travel in Spain and across Europe, and we believe its role in corporate travel will become ever more important," said Zach Ornelas, SVP Commercial for UATP. "Partnering with iryo, one of Spain's most innovative rail operators and a company that shares our vision for connected, digitally enabled travel experiences, is a strategic milestone for us."

The Benefits of the UATP Merchant Network

Participating as a Merchant in the UATP network enables travel providers like iryo to accept UATP payments in a variety of sales channels and connect to a variety of alternative forms of payment (AFPs). As a UATP Merchant, iryo can increase conversion rates and reduce transaction costs while minimizing risk and enhancing its service to corporate clients.

For more information about the UATP and the partnership with iryo or to speak with a UATP company executive, please contact Wendy Ward at wendy.ward@uatp.com.

ABOUT UATP
UATP is the global payment network simplifying payments in complex industries. We make it easy for businesses to make or accept any type of payment; open new markets, drive growth, and reduce costs for Issuers, Merchants, vendors, agents, aggregators, and more. UATP is continually innovating to connect companies to new forms of payment (AFPs), and our easy-to-use data tools, DataStream® and DataMine®, provide comprehensive account details to Issuers and Corporate Account Holders. Our team has decades of experience with the ever-changing payments landscape, and our reliable and proven technology ensures our global customers get more from every payment experience. Learn more at uatp.com.

Accepted as a form of payment for corporate business travel worldwide by airlines, travel agencies and Amtrak®; UATP accounts are issued by Aeromexico; Air Canada (TSE: AC); Air China; Air New Zealand (ANZFF.PK); Air Niugini; AirPlus International a wholly owned subsidiary of SEB Kort; American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL); APG Airlines; Austrian Airlines; Avianca Airlines; BCD Travel; China Eastern Airlines (NYSE: CEA); Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL); EL AL Israel Airlines; Etihad Airways; Fareportal; Frontier Airlines; GOL Linhas Aereas inteligentes S.A. (NYSE: GOL and Bovespa: GOLL4); Hahn Air; High Point Travel; Japan Airlines (9201:JP); JetBlue Airways; LATAM Airlines; Link Airways; Qantas Airways (QUBSF.PK); Shandong Airlines; Sichuan Airlines; Southwest Airlines; Sun Country Airlines; TUIfly GmbH; Turkish Airlines (ISE: THYAO); United Airlines (NASDQAQ: UAL) and WestJet.

About Iryo
iryo is the first private Spanish high-speed railway operator by number of frequencies and fleet volume and is owned by partners Trenitalia, Air Nostrum and Globalvia. The company began operations in 2022 with the only fleet of new trains on the market: in its first phase, 20 state-of-the-art units manufactured by Hitachi Rail-Alstom Group in which it has invested 800 million euros. The company won package B – the second with the highest number of frequencies after that awarded to Renfe – in the tender launched by ADIF in November 2019 for the liberalization of rail transport in Spain. iryo is led by Carlos Bertomeu, President; and Simone Gorini, CEO.   For more information, visit www.iryo.eu 

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SOURCE UATP