Emirates and flydubai have signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Dubai Finance (DOF) to support the Dubai Cashless Strategy, aiming to encourage digital payment adoption among international visitors.
The agreements were signed by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, and Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, alongside Ahmad Ali Meftah, Executive Director of the Central Accounts Sector at DOF. The signing took place in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, and His Excellency Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director General of DOF, together with senior executives from both airlines.
With more than 18.7 million international visitors to Dubai in 2024, many of whom rely on cash, the partnerships aim to promote wider use of secure digital transactions across the travel and tourism sector.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer said: “Emirates’ strategic partnership with DOF represents a significant opportunity to accelerate digital payment adoption across our tourism ecosystem. By leveraging our combined expertise and infrastructure, we’re supporting Dubai’s cashless vision and directly fuelling D33 Agenda ambitions by enabling the business case for digital-first tourism that creates seamless visitor experiences. With our global network, Emirates will also promote Dubai’s cashless ecosystem internationally, encouraging millions of visitors each year to embrace secure digital solutions from the moment they book their ticket. We hope what we are building today will become the blueprint that other major cities will follow.”
Hamad Obaidalla, flydubai’s Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai said: “Our collaboration with DOF is a pivotal step in advancing Dubai Cashless Strategy. flydubai is committed to adopting digital-first solutions, and this partnership will allow us to further enhance the travel experience for millions of international visitors who choose Dubai each year. By making cashless payments simpler, more secure and more accessible, we are not only improving convenience for our customers but also contributing to Dubai’s vision of becoming a leading global hub for digital innovation and economic growth.”
“Our partnership with Emirates and flydubai represents an important milestone in the implementation of the Dubai Cashless Strategy,” said Ahmed Ali Muftah, Executive Director of the Central Accounts Sector at DOF. “It will help expand the adoption of digital payments among the wide segment of visitors and tourists that Dubai attracts annually. Strengthening smart and secure payment channels consolidates Dubai’s position as a global destination for digital tourism and an innovation-driven economy. It also reflects our commitment to accelerating the transition towards a cashless society that achieves the highest levels of efficiency and financial sustainability. We are confident that this collaboration will open new horizons for the adoption of advanced financial solutions, supporting the emirate’s sustainable economic growth.”
Amna Mohamed Lootah, Director of Digital Payments Regulation Division at DOF, said: “Emirates and flydubai play a key role in driving positive change in Dubai’s travel sector. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to innovative financial solutions, enhances the smart tourism experience, and supports a seamless, secure, and sustainable financial environment for all. We are dedicated to providing a seamless and secure financial environment for everyone, contributing to Dubai’s long-term financial sustainability and economic growth.”
Focus Areas of Collaboration
The MoUs outline cooperation in several areas, including:
Sharing expertise, best practices, and technical knowledge on cashless solutions.
Running workshops and training sessions on digital payment adoption.
Monitoring payment trends to support strategic planning.
Joint campaigns to raise awareness among visitors about cashless options.
Incentive programs to encourage digital transactions.
Emirates and flydubai will leverage their existing digital infrastructure—both airlines already process a significant share of their business online. Emirates, for example, offers 14 payment gateways worldwide, while Skywards, the joint loyalty program, operates entirely as a digital currency.
Launched in 2024, the Dubai Cashless Strategy targets 90% cashless transactions across both public and private sectors by the end of 2026. The initiative is expected to contribute more than AED 8 billion annually to Dubai’s economy and is a key part of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which focuses on promoting fintech innovation and competitiveness.
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