Emirates, the largest airline in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has announced plans to implement Bitcoin (BTC) payments and launch non-fungible tokens (NFTs) for trading through the company’s websites.
At a media meeting held at Arabian Travel Market, Emirates COO Adel Ahmed Al Reda reportedly said the Dubai-based airline will be hiring new employees who will focus on blockchain-related projects such as payments in cryptocurrencies, blockchain tracking, metaverse and NFTs.
The airline is exploring the use of blockchain to keep records of aircraft, Al-Redha said. In addition, the airline executive also noted that he can use the metaverse to transform his processes such as operations, training, website sales, and other airline-related activities into the digital world. The airline’s chief operating officer believes that this will make the processes “more interactive”.
Apart from this, Al Reda also mentioned that the air travel industry is slowly making a comeback as more and more travelers arrive.
Related: Venezuela International Airport to Accept Bitcoin Payments: Report
Airports and airlines around the world are looking for ways to integrate blockchain-based technology and cryptocurrency payments. In February 2021, Air France partnered with several organizations to build a blockchain-based system that verifies COVID-19 test results.
In March 2021, the Latvian airline airBaltic added Dogecoin (DOGE) and Ether (ETH) to its payment methods. The airline has been accepting BTC since 2014 and allows other currencies such as USD Coin (USDC), Binance USD (BUSD) and Gemini Dollar (GUSD).
Back in October 2021, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele announced that Volaris El Salvador would accept payments in BTC. This announcement followed El Salvador’s drive to accept BTC when it declared BTC legal tender.
