Emirates and flydubai have signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Dubai Finance (DOF) to advance digital payment initiatives and promote ‘Dubai Cashless Strategy’ among international tourists, cementing the city’s position as a global digital economy hub.
With over 18.7 million tourists visiting Dubai in 2024, cash-reliant travellers represent the Emirate's greatest untapped potential for digital payment adoption.
Two separate MoUs were signed by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer and Hamad Obaidalla, flydubai’s Chief Commercial Officer with Ahmad Ali Meftah, Executive Director of the Central Accounts Sector at DOF, in the presence of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director General of DOF along with senior Emirates Group and flydubai executives.
The partnership will leverage DOF’s established connections to government departments and both airlines’ substantial digital payment expertise, with a significant percentage of Emirates’ and flydubai’s global business conducted through digital transactions. Emirates offers 14 payment gateways for its customers, and Skywards, the award-winning loyalty programme for both Emirates and flydubai, is already a 100 per cent digital currency for earning and redeeming benefits.
The collaborations will target tourists and travellers planning their stay in Dubai by developing initiatives that improve and make the digital payment experience more inclusive for visitors.
Launched last year, the Dubai Cashless Strategy aims to achieve 90 per cent cashless transactions across government and private sectors combined by end of 2026.