This collaboration makes Air Arabia the first airline in the region to offer stablecoin-based payments, underscoring the carrier's commitment to offering innovative digital solutions
Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) operator, has partnered with Al Maryah Community Bank (Mbank), the UAE’s first fully integrated digital bank, to enable the use of AE Coin payments for flight bookings through the AEC Wallet App.
This collaboration makes Air Arabia the first airline in the region to introduce stablecoin-based payments, highlighting the carrier’s commitment to offering innovative digital solutions to its customers. It is also a significant step towards expanding the use of digital currencies within the travel industry in the Mena region.
Announced during an event at Mbank’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, the partnership aims to provide Air Arabia’s customers with a seamless and secure payment experience when booking their flights.
As the UAE’s first AED-backed stablecoin, AE Coin is pegged 1:1 to the UAE Dirham, ensuring price stability, security, and low transaction fees. It is maintained and operated by Mbank through its proprietary blockchain technology, which guarantees the efficient execution of transactions.
With this integration, Air Arabia’s customers can now select the AEC Wallet at checkout when booking via Air Arabia’s website, presenting a new and convenient alternative to travellers. This partnership also aligns with the UAE’s vision of a digital-first economy, which is being realized through initiatives such as the "Smart Sustainable Cities" agenda.
Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia said: “We are proud to partner with Mbank to introduce AE Coin as a new and secure payment option for our customers. At Air Arabia, we are committed to embracing digitalization across all aspects of our operations, and this partnership is a testament to our efforts in enhancing the customer experience through technology. The newly introduced payment option through AEC Wallet reflects our ongoing efforts to adopt smart solutions that bring greater value, choice and flexibility to our growing customer base.”
Mohammed Wassim Khayata, CEO of Mbank, added: “We are delighted to partner with Air Arabia to offer travellers the opportunity to pay for their flights with AE Coin. Air Arabia’s standing as a leading low-cost carrier operator in the region, catering to a diverse customer base with a wide network, aligns seamlessly with Mbank’s mission to provide accessible, secure, and affordable digital banking solutions to our community.
Through this partnership, we aim to not only optimise and improve the flight booking process for Air Arabia passengers but also contribute to the broader goal of the UAE in creating a truly inclusive, digitally empowered financial ecosystem within the country.”
