Dubai: Dubai’s ambition to become a fully cashless city has taken another step forward with Emirates and flydubai signing separate agreements with the Department of Finance (DOF). The deals aim to simplify digital payments for international visitors and align with the Dubai Cashless Strategy, which targets 90% cashless transactions across government and private sectors by 2026.
Making Dubai Travel Seamless and Cash-Free
The agreements with Emirates and flydubai are designed to encourage tourists to adopt secure digital payments from the moment they book their flights to the time they explore the city. Both airlines will integrate more payment options into their websites and mobile apps, promote contactless transactions, and support awareness campaigns to educate visitors on Dubai’s cashless ecosystem.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, described the move as a major step in enhancing the tourist journey.
“We want visitors to enjoy secure, cash-free travel from the moment they book their flight to when they explore the city,” he said.
Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, echoed this sentiment, noting that millions of passengers traveling through Dubai each year will benefit from simpler and more accessible payment solutions.
For the DOF, the partnerships are not only about convenience but also about reinforcing Dubai’s digital economy. “Encouraging digital payments among tourists is a key part of Dubai’s future economy plans,” said Ahmed Ali Meftah, Executive Director at DOF.
Why It Matters for Dubai’s Visitors
Dubai welcomed more than 18.7 million international tourists in 2024. While many of these visitors still rely heavily on cash, the government views this as an untapped opportunity to modernize travel experiences and increase the adoption of secure financial technologies.
Key outcomes expected from the agreements include:
- Greater use of secure digital payments from booking through to departure
- Expanded payment options on Emirates and flydubai platforms
- Promotion of contactless and mobile payments during travel
- Citywide campaigns to help tourists understand and adopt cashless services
The overarching goal is to make Dubai one of the easiest destinations in the world for tourists to navigate without cash.
Dubai’s Cashless Vision and D33 Agenda
The Dubai Cashless Strategy, launched in 2024, is a cornerstone of the city’s D33 economic agenda, which aims to double the size of the emirate’s economy over the next decade. By embedding advanced financial technologies into everyday transactions, officials project that the strategy will generate over AED 8 billion annually while boosting efficiency, transparency, and convenience.
For tourists, the strategy will translate into:
- Streamlined use of cards and mobile wallets across restaurants, shops, and attractions
- Digital ticketing and payments integrated into airline and travel services
- Educational efforts to ease the transition to a fully digital payment environment
Airlines at the Forefront of Digital Payments
Emirates and flydubai are already leaders in digital payment adoption. Emirates supports 14 online payment gateways worldwide and operates its loyalty program, Skywards, as a fully digital currency. Flydubai has similarly integrated digital-first systems to simplify payments for passengers across its network.
With the new agreements, both carriers will go further by piloting new solutions for travelers, sharing best practices with DOF, and offering incentives to encourage greater use of digital payments. Workshops and technical collaborations are also planned to test emerging financial technologies.
Benefits for Tourists and the Economy
The push to make Dubai a cashless destination carries benefits on multiple fronts. For tourists, it promises greater ease and security, eliminating the need to carry large amounts of foreign currency. Contactless payments will allow visitors to spend seamlessly across attractions, restaurants, retail outlets, and transport services.
For the city, the initiative will support the growth of its digital economy and enhance financial transparency. It also aligns with Dubai’s broader ambitions to position itself among the world’s leading digital economies while showcasing how innovation can elevate the travel experience.
Looking Ahead
As Dubai moves toward its 2026 cashless milestone, the partnerships with Emirates and flydubai serve as a model of how airlines, government, and technology can converge to create real-world benefits for millions of travelers.
By prioritizing digital payment adoption, the city is not only reinforcing its reputation as a global financial and tourism hub but also ensuring that international visitors enjoy a simpler, safer, and more connected journey.
Dubai’s transformation into a cashless economy is accelerating — and for tourists, that means a future where every part of their trip, from booking to boarding to exploring the city, can be entirely cash-free.
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