Z-Air is a home-grown regional airline with deep roots in the Dutch Caribbean. Founded in 2000 by Captain Winkel, who brings over 46 years of flight experience, the company started as a medical airline, transporting patients when time truly mattered.
In 2018, Z-Air received its commercial license and expanded its operations beyond medical flights. Today, the airline connects the ABC Islands with Barranquilla, Colombia, and most recently Sint Maarten. Over the years, the fleet has grown steadily, from 8–9 seat Piper aircraft to a 34-seat SAAB, with a Memorandum of Understanding signed for an upcoming 44-seat Embraer. All pilots are proudly local, and training is continuously invested in. Z-Air’s focus has remained consistent throughout its growth: safe, timely, and comfortable travel, and delivering exactly what they promise.
"What we promise is what we deliver. Safety, comfort, and being on time are always our priorities.” — Benjamin Römer, Marketing & Loyalty Program Director, Z-Air"
The Challenge
As Z-Air’s commercial operations grew, so did the complexity behind the scenes, especially when it came to payments.
For remote bookings, customers paid via bank transfer. After booking a ticket, they would receive banking details, complete the transfer, and send a screenshot as proof of payment. Ticket agents then had to manually verify each payment with the finance department before a ticket could be issued.
This process became especially challenging during weekends and outside office hours, when transfers often didn’t clear until Monday. Customers who booked and paid online during those moments sometimes had to wait days before receiving their ticket.
“Selling tickets online was never the issue,” Benjamin explains. “The challenge always started after the booking.” Small errors made things worse. A wrong account number, missing reference, or incorrect amount could delay or even derail a reservation entirely. During high-demand periods such as Dia di Rincon, Regatta, or major festival weekends, these delays could result in lost bookings. “Even when the problem was outside our control, it became our responsibility to solve the issue,” Benjamin shares. Behind the scenes, ticket agents were constantly moving between systems and departments. “It worked, but it wasn’t efficient at all. It felt like going around Schottegat instead of taking the direct way.”
The Solution
Z-Air was introduced to Sentoo through a recommendation. After a short presentation, the decision was made quickly: replace manual bank transfers with Sentoo payment links. The goal was clear. Remove waiting times, eliminate errors, and give agents full control over the payment process.
Implementation followed almost immediately. Training started the following week, and agents learned the flow in a single session. “The training given by Sentoo was so clear that as soon as we went live, our agents could work with it right away,” says Benjamin.
Z-Air first implemented Sentoo payment links in Curaçao, and more recently expanded usage to Bonaire.
The new payment flow is simple and controlled:
- The agent creates a Sentoo payment link with the exact amount and booking reference
- The link is shared via website chat, WhatsApp, phone, or email
- The customer opens the link, selects their local bank, and approves the payment in their own banking app
- Instant confirmation appears in the Sentoo dashboard
- The agent issues the ticket immediately, without having to check with Finance
POS machines remain in use for walk-ins, and cash is still accepted as well. But for remote bookings, the old bank transfer routine is gone. “As soon as the customer presses enter, the payment comes through,” Benjamin explains. “We get immediate confirmation and receive the amount directly.”
The Results
The impact of switching to Sentoo was felt immediately across the organization.
- Real-time ticketing
Agents can issue tickets instantly, without waiting for transfers to clear or having to chase screenshots. - Fewer errors
Payment links eliminate incorrect amounts, missing references, and failed transactions. - Independent agents
Reservation agents can verify payments themselves in the Sentoo dashboard, reducing dependency on the finance department. - Happier customers
After using Sentoo once, many travelers now actively ask for the payment link because it feels easy and familiar. - Calmer operations
The team experiences less stress, especially during peak travel moments. All payment information is available in one place, making follow-up smoother.
“The process now feels more efficient and secure,” Benjamin says. “Our agents feel more in control.”
What Customers Experience Now
From the customer’s perspective, the change is just as noticeable:
- No learning curve. Payments happen through their own banking app
- Faster confirmation means faster ticket issuance
- Fewer mistakes and fewer cancelled reservations, even during busy travel periods
“At first, some customers needed an explanation,” Benjamin adds. “Now they ask directly for the Sentoo payment link.”
A Clearer Path Forward
For Z-Air, Sentoo didn’t just replace bank transfers. It simplified the entire booking journey, reduced operational friction, and restored control over payments. “Successful payment,” Benjamin concludes, when we ask how he would describe Sentoo in the least amount of words. “Smooth, easy, and efficient.”
If your team is still chasing screenshots, waiting on weekend clears, or juggling finance confirmations, Z-Air’s story shows a clearer path forward: payment links that settle instantly through customers’ own banks. No new accounts, less friction, and a smoother experience for everyone.
The Zimplest way to fly meets the simplest way to pay.