Indian mobile operator Airtel Kenya has partnered with the Kenya Airports Parking Services (KAPS) to enable people to pay for their parking tickets using mobile money service.

Airtel Kenya Managing Director Shivan Bhargava, said the three year deal will enable Airtel customers pay for their parking fees quickly and conveniently using Airtel Money, skipping long queues at malls and parking-bay areas.

The initiative is also aimed at promoting Airtel Money in the Kenyan market where MPesa, a service offered by rival Safricom, is the most popular mobile money offering.

To access the service, Airtel Customers send a 9 digit code on their parking ticket to 113.

They will then be notified of the amount they should pay. A customer can then make payment to the the pay bill business name KAPS from the Airtel money menu.

Bhargava said Airtel will not charge its customers for using the service.

“Airtel is focused on delivering innovative world-class mobile solutions. We are delighted to be able to offer our Airtel Money customers access to this service through our partners KAPS hoping that it will change the way our customers currently pay for their parking fees by making it an easier, faster and more convenient experience wherever they use the KAPS parking services.” said Bhargava.

The service is available at six parking locations in Nairobi managed by KAPS including the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and shopping malls; Capital Center, Yaya Center, Junction, Sarit Center and Westgate. These six locations are often busy receiving thousands of visitors in a day.

KAPS managing director Samuel Kahiga said the firm will continue to automate payment in its parking spots across the country, as it seeks to eliminate cash payment which is chaotic due to impatient customers and the use of high denomination currency notes for small payments.

Airtel Kenya has been introducing innovative products tied to its mobile money service in a bid to popularise it. In May this year, Airtel partnered with Faulu Kenya, a microfinance institution, to offer loans to Airtel Money subscribers of between Ksh 1,000 ($12) and Ksh. 10,000 ($120) straight to their mobile phones.

The loan is repayable in 10 to 30 days.