Air Arabia Welcomes AED Stablecoin, Offering Travelers a Modern Digital Payment Option

Air Arabia has become the first airline in the region to accept AE Coin—a UAE-regulated stablecoin backed by the dirham—for flight bookings.

The move follows a strategic partnership with Al Maryah Community Bank (Mbank), the issuer of AE Coin and developer of the AEC Wallet app through which payments are processed.

Notably, AE Coin is the first stablecoin approved by the Central Bank of the UAE, marking a significant step in the nation’s digital finance landscape.

This integration underscores Air Arabia’s commitment to offering innovative, tech-forward services to its customers.

Air Arabia Sets New Standard with Digital Currency Payment Integration

In a recent blog post, Air Arabia announced the integration of the AEC Wallet as a new payment option on its website, enabling travellers to use AE Coin at checkout—a move aligned with the UAE’s push toward a digital-first economy.

Group CEO Adel Al Ali described the adoption of this stablecoin-powered solution as both reliable and innovative, reinforcing the airline’s broader commitment to digital transformation.

He emphasized that this step reflects Air Arabia’s continued efforts to improve customer experience through value-driven, tech-forward services.

Mohammed Wassim Khayata, CEO of Al Maryah Community Bank (Mbank)—the issuer of AE Coin—welcomed the collaboration, noting that the partnership simplifies the booking process and supports the UAE’s ambition to create a more inclusive, technology-driven financial landscape.

In a related initiative, Mbank has also joined forces with Changer.ae to offer escrow services, allowing users in the UAE to easily convert between dirhams and AE Coin, further strengthening the country’s evolving digital finance infrastructure.