Air Arabia has become the first airline in the Middle East and North Africa to accept cryptocurrency payments for flight bookings. The Sharjah-based budget carrier has partnered with Al Maryah Community Bank (Mbank) to allow passengers to pay using AE Coin, a stablecoin backed 1:1 by the UAE Dirham.
How Air Arabia Cryptocurrency Payment Works
Passengers booking through Air Arabia's website can now select the AEC Wallet App as a payment option at checkout. AE Coin — created by AED Stablecoin — gives travellers the benefit of stable prices, low transaction costs, and secure processing, making it a practical alternative to traditional payment methods.
What the Partnership Means for Travellers
The integration means customers holding AE Coin can complete international ticket purchases entirely through the AEC Wallet, resulting in a faster, cash-free online booking experience. Al Maryah Community Bank is the UAE's first fully integrated digital bank, making this collaboration a natural fit for the country's push toward a digital-first financial ecosystem.
Adel Al Ali, Group CEO of Air Arabia, said:
"We are excited to partner with Mbank to present AE Coin as a safe and new way to make payments. It means we are committed to using technology to improve the journey our customers take."
Mohammed Wassim Khayata, CEO of Mbank, said:
"With Air Arabia, we now provide travelers a secure and affordable way to pay for their bookings online. It fits with the UAE's plan for building an inclusive digital economy."
Ramez Rafeek, General Manager of AED Stablecoin, highlighted the broader regional significance:
"The use of AE Coin in airline bookings makes payment faster and easier, showing that digital currencies are more widely available to everyone."
UAE's Broader Digital Economy Push
The move aligns with the UAE's national strategy to build a blockchain-enabled, digitally empowered financial ecosystem. AE Coin was developed to provide a regulated, AED-backed alternative to volatile cryptocurrencies — offering the innovation of digital payments without the price swings.
With Air Arabia now accepting stablecoin payments, industry observers suggest other Gulf airlines could follow suit, potentially expanding cryptocurrency adoption across regional aviation and beyond.
