Telecom services provider, Airtel Rwanda has introduced air travel ticket payment options on its airtel money platform, a development that takes the cuttthroat competition in the mobile money transfer services a notch higher.

According to a statement from the firm, Airtel customers registered on Airtel Money can now pay for their Kenya Airways tickets by dialing *182# and the follow prompts to access the Airtel Money menu.

"This partnership and service brings convenience and ease for customers to a whole new level as they will now be able to pay for their Kenya Airways (KQ)  tickets anytime, anywhere using their mobile phone,” said Tano Oware, Airtel Rwanda chief financial officer, during the launch of the service at the KQ offices in Kigali last week.

He added that the new service adds onto the mobile platform’s array of payment options as a way of ensuring they cater for the needs of all the segments of customers.

Pauline Kariuki, the Kenya Airways Rwanda manager, said paying for airtickets using Airtel Money will save customers the headache of going to travel agents or KQ offices to book.

Mobile commerce is gaining importance in the country for its huge role in speeding up transactions by saving time and money for people and businesses.

Analysts have noted that as telecoms try to out-compete each other to get as many service providers on their platforms, subscribers will gain from better services and a wide range of options that meet their needs.

Today, it is possible for clients to pay for water and electricity bills, pay television subscription, life insurance or buy airtime in addition to transferring money from one phone to another, bank account to a mobile money account; saving and accessing soft loans.