Crypto to reach the sky? Blockworks tweets Emirates airline to accept bitcoin, Emirates does not confirm, but yet doesn’t deny…
Recently Blockworks tweeted that Emirates airline are to accept bitcoin which would mean that the airline industry is beginning to embrace blockchain technologies. This could allow companies to interact more with customers and expand their reach. It would mean another opportunity to use cryptocurrencies in the “real” world for users.
According to the article on blockworks.co “Emirates, the largest airline in the United Arab Emirates, announced its intention to add bitcoin as a payment option and to make NFT collectibles tradable on the company’s website.
The Dubai based airline also hopes to use blockchain technology in tracing aircraft records, as stated by Emirates’ chief operating officer Adel Ahmed Al Redha in a media gathering held at international travel trade show, the Arabian Travel Market.”
Emirates didn’t confirm the information in its Twitter account, but still said that they are “exploring it as an alternative payment option for future use.”
Seems that the initial source was an article on Arab News saying that “UAE flag carrier Emirates plans to embrace advanced digital solutions such as blockchain, metaverse, and cryptocurrency as part of its strategy to connect with customers in a faster and more flexible way.” All in all, it complies with both tweets: YES, Emirates is going to use Bitcoin and other blockchain technologies, but NO, the company doesn’t accept cryptocurrencies for payments right now.
According to the article, Emirates Chief Operating Officer Adel Ahmed Al-Redha told a media gathering at the Arabian Travel Market, that the airline will hire new staff for metaverse and NFTs in an effort to develop applications to monitor customer needs.
Some other smaller airlines have already accepted cryptocurrencies for payment. Latvian airline airBaltic was the world’s first to accept bitcoin payments for its flight tickets back in 2014. Now, in cooperation with service provider BitPay, airBaltic also accepts ether and dogecoin. Among others are LOT Polish Airlines and Japanese low-coast airline Peach Aviation.
The most significant benefit of using cryptocurrencies for tourists is avoiding foreign exchange expenses. Everyone knows the drill: you have to convert your dollars to another currency at a high price or with an unfavourable conversion rate. Cryptocurrencies resolve these issues.
Let’s wait for the giants of the industry to make this step and fly!
