Air Arabia, the leading low-cost airline in the Middle East, has made a groundbreaking announcement of its partnership with Mbank to introduce the use of cryptocurrency AE Coin for flight bookings. This collaboration symbolizes a remarkable shift towards digital payments, offering customers a seamless and secure booking experience through AE Coin.

As the first and largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa region, Air Arabia's collaboration with Al Maryah Community Bank (Mbank), the UAE's first fully integrated digital bank, will pave the way for travelers to utilize AE Coin for making payments through the AEC Wallet App. This partnership positions Air Arabia as the pioneering airline in the region to offer stablecoin-based payments, emphasizing its dedication to delivering innovative digital solutions to its clientele.

AE Coin, being the UAE's first AED-backed stablecoin, is pegged 1:1 to the UAE Dirham, ensuring stability, security, and minimal transaction fees. Customers of Air Arabia can now opt for the AEC Wallet as a payment method during booking, providing a new convenient payment option in line with the UAE's digital-first economy vision.

Adel Al Ali, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, expressed pride in collaborating with Mbank to introduce AE Coin as a secure and innovative payment alternative. He emphasized Air Arabia's commitment to embracing digital advancements and enhancing customer experiences through technology. Mohammed Wassim Khayata, CEO of Mbank, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the alignment of Air Arabia's reputation in serving a diverse customer base with Mbank's mission to provide accessible and secure digital payment solutions.

Ramez Rafeek, General Manager of AED Stablecoin, hailed the partnership as a significant milestone for AE Coin, making digital currency more accessible to everyday consumers. This collaboration not only streamlines the payment process for travelers but also contributes to fostering an inclusive and digitally empowered financial ecosystem in the UAE.

While Air Arabia marks a milestone as the first airline in the Middle East to accept cryptocurrency payments, the trend is gaining traction across the aviation industry. Major international airlines like Delta, United, and Emirates have also begun accepting crypto payments through various platforms or partnerships with digital payment providers.

In 2014, Air Baltic emerged as a frontrunner by embracing Bitcoin for direct flight purchases, setting a precedent in the airline sector. By accepting a range of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, and Dogecoin, Air Baltic aimed to enhance customer service and simplify the payment experience, heralding a trend that has been followed by numerous airlines since then. This shift towards accepting digital currencies demonstrates a fundamental change in the airline industry's approach to payments, showcasing a move towards a more seamless and modernized customer experience.