Air Arabia and Mbank Launch New Digital Travel Payment Solution
Air Arabia, the largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa region, has entered a strategic partnership with Al Maryah Community Bank , the UAE's pioneering fully integrated digital bank, to transform payment solutions for air travel bookings. The collaboration aims to streamline and enhance customer experience by integrating a dedicated payment platform using AE Coin, a digital currency developed within the UAE's evolving fintech ecosystem.
The agreement represents a notable development in the aviation and financial technology sectors, aligning with broader efforts across the Gulf to digitize and modernize consumer transactions. Air Arabia's expansive footprint across over 170 destinations and its growing digital adoption underscore the potential scale and impact of this partnership, while Mbank's innovative banking infrastructure provides the technological backbone necessary for secure and efficient digital payments.
AE Coin, a digital asset issued under regulatory frameworks established by the UAE Central Bank, is designed to support seamless transactions, offering users a faster, more secure alternative to conventional payment methods. By incorporating AE Coin into the travel booking process, Air Arabia customers can now enjoy reduced transaction costs and enhanced payment speed, particularly beneficial for frequent flyers and cross-border travellers navigating currency exchange complexities.
ADVERTISEMENT
This joint initiative aligns with the UAE's vision of becoming a global hub for digital innovation, especially in fintech and blockchain technology applications. Authorities have actively promoted digital currencies as a means to foster economic diversification and financial inclusion, setting regulatory standards to encourage institutional adoption without compromising security or compliance. Air Arabia and Mbank's collaboration is a direct manifestation of this vision, potentially setting a precedent for other airlines and banks in the region.
Beyond operational efficiency, the deal aims to provide a competitive edge to Air Arabia in the increasingly crowded low-cost airline market. The digital payment facility is expected to attract a broader demographic, including tech-savvy millennials and Gen Z customers who favour quick and convenient digital financial services. Mbank's platform offers an intuitive user interface backed by advanced cybersecurity measures, ensuring transaction integrity and user privacy—a crucial factor in digital payment adoption.
Industry experts observe that this partnership could stimulate further innovation in travel-related financial products, such as loyalty programmes integrated with blockchain technology or smart contracts automating travel insurance claims and refunds. Given Air Arabia's status as a trailblazer in the LCC market within the region, the integration of digital currency payments may drive more airlines to explore similar fintech collaborations to boost customer engagement and operational resilience.
The UAE's fintech landscape has been expanding rapidly, supported by government initiatives like the Dubai Blockchain Strategy and Abu Dhabi's financial free zones encouraging fintech startups and established institutions to experiment with digital currencies and payment systems. Al Maryah Community Bank has been at the forefront of this evolution, leveraging its digital-first banking model to offer innovative solutions that address gaps in traditional banking services, especially for younger, digitally native consumers.
The banking sector's shift toward digital currencies is also influenced by the growing emphasis on cross-border remittances and e-commerce in the Gulf Cooperation Council economies. With millions of expatriates living and working in the UAE, seamless and cost-effective international payments are essential. AE Coin's integration into travel payments potentially simplifies the complex landscape of foreign exchange and international fees, offering transparent, instant settlement.
ADVERTISEMENT
Air Arabia's move complements broader aviation industry trends where airlines increasingly seek to diversify revenue streams through ancillary services, including payment facilitation. Providing customers with alternative payment methods can enhance booking flexibility and reduce abandoned transactions, particularly in regions where credit card penetration remains variable.
Mbank's leadership has highlighted the collaboration as a step toward building a future-ready banking environment that embraces emerging technologies and anticipates customer needs. Their approach includes ongoing investments in blockchain research and partnerships aimed at expanding the utility of digital currencies beyond conventional use cases.
Sceptics caution, however, that widespread adoption of digital currencies in mainstream commercial sectors faces hurdles such as regulatory uncertainty in some jurisdictions, fluctuating asset valuations, and the need for consumer education. Nevertheless, the tightly regulated environment of the UAE and its proactive approach to digital asset regulation mitigate some of these concerns, positioning this partnership as a test case for successful integration.
Air Arabia's CEO emphasised that the move reflects a commitment to innovation and customer-centricity, stating that digital payment solutions are integral to the airline's future growth strategy. The ability to offer fast, secure, and cost-effective payment options will enhance the overall travel experience and contribute to operational efficiencies.
Analysts note that this partnership signals a broader shift in the travel and banking sectors towards embracing digital ecosystems that reduce friction and enhance service delivery. The potential for scaling such solutions beyond air travel, into areas such as hotel bookings, car rentals, and travel insurance, could redefine consumer expectations in the region's travel market.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
14 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Over 13m people in UK face ‘tough' financial problems
The concerning lack of ability for some people to cope with unexpected costs has been revealed as new data showed one in ten (10 per cent) of UK adults have no cash savings whatsoever, leaving them vulnerable when faced with increased bills. More than 13m people across the nation are thought to be facing tough conditions financially, including amassing debt, have little savings or have missed paying bills. While the headline figure of ten per cent having no savings at all is a worry, findings from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) actually show a far greater scale of people who have minimal ability to manage any sort of shock to their income, with a further 21 per cent having less than £1,000 saved. Most financial experts agree that individuals or families should aim to build an emergency savings buffer of three to six months' worth of essential expenses, depending on circumstances, according to the Independent. This can aid to continue paying bills and essential costs like groceries, rent or mortgage repayments in the event of sudden pressures, like health emergencies, loss of work or even surging inflation. In addition to not having enough savings, the FCA data underlined two further issues: 2.8m people who have persistent debt through credit cards, which can be one of the most expensive ways to hold debt, along with a continuing rise in people using buy now, pay later (BNPL) services. More than a third of women (35 per cent) aged 25-34 use these services and a full 40 per cent of single parents do so. While some of these services do not necessarily always charge interest initially – some do of course – missing payments can be extremely costly and building up bigger repayment costs can potentially push greater debt on peoples' future. StepChange, a charity which helps with free advice to people struggling with debt, said in a statement they 'want to see the Government invest in safe options for those who can't afford to save to cope with unexpected costs, including a permanent national crisis support scheme, building on the Household Support Fund and a national no-interest loan scheme, and by working with the financial services industry to expand affordable, low-cost credit.' The FCA also shared encouraging data from those who do seek help. From 1.7m people using debt advice or services in the past year, 61 per cent 'said their debts were more manageable' in the aftermath. Compare the Market data shows more than half (52 per cent) of Gen Z – aged 16 to 28 – do not have a 'rainy day fund' for emergency expenses, while more than a quarter (27 per cent) of all people who do have one have needed to use it recently to cover increased household bills and other essential expenses. Research by wealth managers St. James's Place shows more than a quarter of the nation feeling anxious about the year ahead in monetary terms. Alexandra Loydon, director of advice, said: 'Economic challenges remain, so it's more important than ever to take steps to make your money work harder. While building a financial plan may seem daunting, especially if you've never done one before, this really shouldn't put you off., the Independent report adds. 'Identifying your key financial goals and assessing your current financial situation are the simple places to start. From there you should focus on building your emergency fund by putting aside a small amount of money each month and ensuring you're getting the best rates of return. 'While these may seem like small steps, they all help you grasp your financial situation and take action to improve it, making a real difference to your financial resilience both now and in future.'
Khaleej Times
21 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Is digital consumerism training us to stay in debt?
Though I've touched on the age of discernment and the importance of taste in the times we live in, the rise of a new series of brands, apps, and business models that rely on small scale transactions and loans to stay afloat has given me reason to reexamine the issue, specifically, digital consumerism. Though most commonly seen today in the form of gambling apps and the rise of 'buy now, pay later' schemes — even for items that once required just a few weeks or months of saving — it's now easier than ever to delay payments, and just as easy to spiral into a cycle of debt. While that first shocking credit card statement after leaving home may feel like a rite of passage, the reality is that most people don't have the wealth or access to easily climb out of debt, or the financial literacy to avoid falling into it in the first it can and should be viewed as an issue of financial literacy, the fact of the matter is that the current popularity of these business models is based on taking advantage of vulnerable consumers. Most new consumers right now, Gen-Z, and other young people in the workforce, grew up with video games where micro transactions were just a click of their parents' credit card away. People might laugh about spending a couple hundred bucks on video game loot boxes or digital skins over the years — but the truth is, many of our brains have been wired to consume since the moment we were handed iPads as toddlers. The simple answer is to have hobbies, not vices. Don't gamble, go out for dinner with your friends. Don't order a massive amount of takeout you have to spend three months paying off and regretting, go buy groceries. Though a few simple tips might not mend all of your financial difficulties — far from it — an openness to being more critical about the kinds of low-grade products we allow ourselves to waste our money on could be beneficial. For me, I think about simple metaphors of bad workmen blaming their tools. If you don't get rich gambling on whatever it is you want to gamble on, you shouldn't be surprised. There is a reason people say, 'The house always wins.' I've been on my own journey, and I've found that while it's easy to fall into the trap of micro-transactions — a chocolate bar here, a fidgety gadget there — much like the addictive pull of AI tools or the toxicity of social media, these cash-draining apps are ultimately a zero-sum game. There are some who use these apps as journeymen; they invest a little once and coast on winnings and interest. Others simply grow bored or anxious with the incoming cycle of debt and reward, while the few and loud get addicted. Heavy usage of apps and technology that rely on this sort of consumerism is widespread, and as with social media and culture, are most popular in communities hit hard by economic hardship, where luck or perseverance are the apparent keys to financial success. In reality, these apps are as predatory as email and phone scammers, and the true myth of them is believing that an individual can win while there are bots and algorithms run by most of these apps, unfettered by human emotion, designed to log most of the greatest victories in so-called 'fair' games. If you want to waste money, just go into cryptocurrency.
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
Top 5 Gen Z Social Trends Businesses Can't Ignore in 2025
If you still think Gen Z is just a TikTok generation glued to their screens, it's time for a reboot. This isn't just another trend forecast or dry demographic breakdown. Gen Z - those born in the 1995-2012 range - are rewriting the rules of engagement, not just for marketers, but for brands' very survival. They're your next wave of consumers, collaborators, and culture-setters. Ignore them, and you're not just behind - you're invisible. "Gen Z isn't asking for attention," says 20/7 Marketing's General Manager, Jana Abu Ahmad. "They're demanding relevance. If brands don't show up with clarity, creativity, and authenticity, Gen Z simply scrolls past." 20/7 Marketing is a Dubai-based 360-marketing agency that is set on tracking trend signals not just to ride the wave - but to shape the next one. Here are five Gen Z trends they've kept an eye on that smart businesses are not just noticing, but building into their strategy. 1. Influencers Are the New Word of Mouth Gen Z may be skeptical of brands, but they still believe in people - specifically, people with ring lights and niche audiences. Nearly 40% of Gen Z trust influencers more than they did a year ago, and they're most likely to say that influencer content drives their purchasing decisions. But don't confuse mass reach with impact. The era of faceless, overproduced influencer campaigns is over. "Zoomers want to see creators who are actually fans of your product," says Jana. "Not just holding it. Using it. Critiquing it. Loving it." Micro-communities, authenticity, and relatability win here. Brands that align with creators who genuinely resonate with their values will see not just clicks - but community. 2. Don't Perform Activism - Pass the Mic Five years ago, every brand was suddenly 'finding its voice' on social issues. The result? Fatigue and skepticism. Gen Z isn't buying into polished purpose statements anymore - they're watching who you platform. This generation expects influencers, not corporations, to carry the torch for causes. According to data from marketing reports and surveys, almost half of Gen Z will unfollow a brand if it partners with influencers who don't align with their values. Translation? Your impact isn't judged by your slogans, but by your associations. The message is clear: say less, choose better. 3. Generic Is Invisible. Build a Universe Instead. If your content could come from any brand, it's not building loyalty. A staggering 90% of Gen Z say a brand's social presence impacts whether they trust it - and trend-chasing won't cut it. Originality, not volume, is the metric that matters. "Posting five times a day isn't a strategy," says 20/7's General Manager. "Posting five things that feel like only your brand could've made them? That's presence." The best brands are building recurring content franchises, consistent characters, even full-blown lore. Think less "feed filler," more "Netflix series energy." 4. Social Commerce Is the New Storefront Gen Z isn't just discovering your brand on Instagram - they're checking out on TikTok. Over half make impulse purchases weekly or monthly because of something they saw on social, and nearly half say they plan to shop more on these platforms in 2025. But don't mistake this for an excuse to go sales-heavy. What Gen Z really buys into is storytelling. Your product is not the pitch - it's the payoff. If it feels native to the content, they'll click. If it feels like an ad, they'll scroll. 5. The Rise of the 'Offline-Online' Hybrid Experience Despite being labeled "chronically online," Gen Z is increasingly craving moments to log off and reconnect. More than 60% took a social media detox in the last year. This doesn't mean abandoning digital. It means bridging it. Think brand meetups, pop-up events, and IRL community-building layered with social storytelling. We've seen this trend take shape across wellness, fashion, and lifestyle brands - and it's coming for every industry. "Sometimes, the best content isn't created by you," says Jana. "It's captured in real life by your audience. Give them something worth remembering - and sharing." So, What Now? There's no one-size-fits-all playbook. But if there's one universal rule for reaching Gen Z, it's this: stop marketing at them. Start building with them. The brands winning Gen Z attention aren't always the biggest. They're the boldest. The ones who aren't afraid to take risks, refine their voice, and show up in the spaces where culture lives. 20/7 Marketing calls this approach "fast-tracking your brand" - a phrase that's more than their tagline; it's a strategy rooted in speed, substance, and impact. In a world where scrolls are swift and attention is a currency, relevance isn't handed out. It's earned - through bold thinking and content that actually connects. For brands looking to capture Gen Z, the finish line is moving. The only way forward? Keep up - or get left behind.
