Emirates airline has signed a preliminary agreement with Crypto.com to enable customers to make payments using cryptocurrencies, the carrier’s parent company announced on Wednesday.

The deal marks a significant step toward embracing digital currencies in the aviation sector and is expected to take effect in 2025.

The partnership will allow Emirates’ customers to use Crypto.com Pay, the crypto trading platform’s payment service, to settle transactions. The airline is targeting younger, tech-savvy travellers who are increasingly comfortable with digital assets.

“This collaboration is part of our strategy to tap into younger customer segments who prefer digital currencies,” said Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, in a statement.

The move comes as the United Arab Emirates continues to position itself as a global hub for cryptocurrency innovation. The country has already facilitated crypto-based payments in sectors such as real estate, education, and transportation. Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, established in 2022, oversees the fast-growing virtual asset space, with more than 650 crypto firms now operating in the city’s DMCC free zone.

The Emirates-Crypto.com partnership follows similar moves by other airlines in the Gulf region. In May, low-cost carrier Air Arabia announced it would begin accepting AE Coin, a UAE dirham-backed stablecoin, for flight bookings.

Emirates’ planned integration of crypto payments highlights a broader trend in the airline industry as carriers explore new technologies to enhance customer experience and streamline payment options. If successful, the initiative could pave the way for further adoption of cryptocurrencies in global travel and tourism.