Air Arabia has become the first airline in the Middle East and North Africa to accept payments using stablecoin, following a new partnership with Al Maryah Community Bank (Mbank). The move introduces AE Coin, the UAE’s first Dirham-backed digital currency, as a payment method for booking flights through the AEC Wallet App.

AE Coin is tied 1:1 to the UAE Dirham, offering users a stable and secure way to pay while benefiting from low transaction fees. By integrating the AEC Wallet into its website, Air Arabia is offering its customers an additional, convenient digital payment option that aligns with the UAE’s push towards a more digitally connected economy.

Air Arabia, the region’s first and largest low-cost airline, said the initiative reflects its ongoing efforts to bring smart technology into the booking process and improve customer experience.

Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, said: “We are proud to partner with Mbank to introduce AE Coin as a secure and innovative payment option for our customers. At Air Arabia, we are committed to embracing digitalisation across our operations, and this partnership reflects our efforts to enhance our 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 proud to partner with Air Arabia to offer AE Coin as a payment option for travellers. Air Arabia’s strong reputation as a leading low-cost carrier operator serving a diverse customer base aligns perfectly with our mission to provide accessible, secure, and affordable digital payment solutions to our community.”

The collaboration is seen as a step forward in the UAE’s ambition to build a more inclusive and tech-driven financial landscape.