Air Arabia, the leading low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, and Al Maryah Community Bank (Mbank), the first fully integrated digital bank in the United Arab Emirates, have announced a partnership set to transform the airline ticket payment landscape. Thanks to this collaboration, the carrier's customers will now be able to use AE Coin, the UAE’s first stablecoin, to settle flight bookings through the AEC Wallet app. This move positions Air Arabia as the first airline in the region to offer stablecoin-based payments, reinforcing its commitment to digital innovation.

AE Coin is a stablecoin pegged 1:1 to the United Arab Emirates Dirham, ensuring price stability for its users, high security, and minimal transaction costs. The integration of this payment option will allow low-cost travellers to select the "AEC Wallet" at checkout on the airline’s website, providing "a new, convenient, and cutting-edge payment alternative, aligned with the UAE’s vision of an increasingly digital-centric economy", according to an official statement.

Ramez Rafeek, General Manager of AED Stablecoin, highlighted the partnership’s role in expanding the accessibility of digital currencies: "This partnership with Air Arabia represents a significant milestone for AE Coin, as it makes the digital currency even more accessible to consumers. By integrating AE Coin into flight bookings, we simplify the payment experience for travelers and provide a seamless cashless solution in line with the growing digital economy. Air Arabia’s leadership in adopting digital payment solutions in the air transport sector is an exciting development that will pave the way for broader adoption of digital currencies in the region".

The introduction of AE Coin in aviation payments marks a significant step towards a more digitized and cashless financial future, consolidating the United Arab Emirates’ position as a hub for technological and financial innovation.