Air Arabia Becomes First MENA Airline to Accept AE Coin Payments
Air Arabia has announced a pioneering partnership with Al Maryah Community Bank (Mbank) to accept AE Coin, the UAE’s first AED-backed stablecoin, as a payment method for booking flights. This move makes Air Arabia the first airline in the Middle East and North Africa to offer stablecoin-based payments, marking a major step forward in digital payment innovation in the regional aviation sector.
Announced on May 27, 2025, the partnership enables Air Arabia customers to use AE Coin through the AEC Wallet App to book flights directly on the airline’s website. AE Coin is pegged 1:1 with the UAE Dirham, ensuring stability and low transaction costs while offering the security of blockchain technology. This initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader strategy to establish a digital-first economy and foster greater adoption of financial technologies.
Air Arabia Group CEO Adel Al Ali described the partnership as a strategic advancement in the airline’s commitment to digital transformation. He said the new payment solution adds more flexibility and convenience to the booking experience, allowing customers to benefit from faster, cashless, and secure transactions using AE Coin.
Mohammed Wassim Khayata, CEO of Mbank, emphasized the significance of the collaboration in supporting broader financial inclusion. He noted that the integration of AE Coin into travel bookings is a step toward building a digitally empowered financial ecosystem that benefits both consumers and businesses in the UAE.
The integration of AE Coin also marks a milestone for AED Stablecoin, the issuer of AE Coin. General Manager Ramez Rafeek said the collaboration with Air Arabia helps bring digital currency usage into the mainstream, simplifying payments for everyday travel and reinforcing AE Coin’s role in the evolving digital economy.
The move positions Air Arabia alongside a growing list of global airlines that have adopted cryptocurrency-based payments. Carriers such as Delta, United, Emirates, and Air Baltic have already embraced digital currencies, offering travelers flexible payment options through platforms that support Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies. Air Baltic was one of the earliest adopters in 2014, setting a precedent with its acceptance of Bitcoin and later expanding to other digital currencies.
With this announcement, Air Arabia not only embraces a future-ready payment model but also reinforces its role as a technology-driven airline. The partnership is expected to pave the way for broader adoption of digital currencies in the travel industry across the Middle East, enhancing customer experience and supporting the region’s ambitions for fintech leadership.
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