Dubai’s ambition to become one of the world’s foremost digital economies has received a major boost as Emirates Airline, flydubai, and the Department of Finance (DOF) for the Government of Dubai signed two landmark Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to accelerate the city’s “Dubai Cashless Strategy.”
The new collaboration seeks to enhance the adoption of digital payments across Dubai’s tourism and travel ecosystem, particularly among international visitors, while reinforcing the emirate’s standing as a global hub for financial innovation and smart living.
The signing ceremony, held in Dubai, brought together leading figures from the aviation and finance sectors. The agreements were signed by Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates; Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer of flydubai; and Ahmad Ali Meftah, Executive Director of the Central Accounts Sector at DOF.
The event was witnessed by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and His Excellency Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director-General of DOF, alongside senior executives from both airlines and government representatives.
The partnerships come at a crucial time as Dubai continues to attract a record number of visitors – over 18.7 million in 2024 alone – many of whom still rely heavily on cash-based transactions. The new alliance aims to make the digital payment experience more seamless, secure, and inclusive for travellers, supporting the government’s goal of achieving more than 90% cashless transactions by the end of 2026.
Speaking at the signing, Adnan Kazim said the collaboration represents a significant milestone in Dubai’s journey towards a cashless economy and digital-first tourism.
“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 the D33 Agenda ambitions by enabling digital-first tourism that creates seamless visitor experiences,” he said.
“Through our extensive global network, Emirates will promote Dubai’s cashless ecosystem internationally, encouraging millions of visitors to embrace secure digital solutions from the moment they book their ticket,” he added.
Similarly, Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer of flydubai, described the agreement as a natural progression of the airline’s digital transformation strategy.
“Our collaboration with DOF is a pivotal step in advancing the Dubai Cashless Strategy,” he said. “flydubai is committed to adopting digital-first solutions, and this partnership will 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 improving convenience for customers while contributing to Dubai’s vision of becoming a leading global hub for digital innovation and economic growth.”
From the public sector perspective, Ahmed Ali Meftah, Executive Director of the Central Accounts Sector at DOF, underscored the importance of the collaboration in expanding the reach of digital payments.
“Our partnership with Emirates and flydubai represents an important milestone in the implementation of the Dubai Cashless Strategy,” he stated. “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.”
Amna Mohamed Lootah, Director of the Digital Payments Regulation Division at DOF, added that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to creating an efficient, future-ready financial environment.
“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,” she said.
Under the MoUs, the three parties will collaborate on a series of strategic initiatives designed to expand cashless payment solutions and improve the overall visitor experience. These include sharing technical expertise, conducting workshops and training sessions, and analysing payment adoption trends to support policy development and future planning.
Joint marketing campaigns will also be rolled out to raise awareness of digital payment options among international visitors, alongside incentives to encourage wider adoption. Visitors to Dubai can expect an even more integrated experience, with options for contactless payments, mobile wallets, and loyalty-based digital rewards.
Both Emirates and flydubai are well-positioned to lead this digital transformation. Emirates already operates 14 digital payment gateways worldwide, and its award-winning Skywards loyalty programme – shared by both airlines – functions entirely as a digital currency for earning and redeeming rewards.
Launched in 2024, the Dubai Cashless Strategy is one of the emirate’s flagship initiatives aimed at transforming all government and private sector transactions into digital formats by 2026. The strategy is expected to contribute over AED 8 billion annually to Dubai’s economy through enhanced financial technology adoption and improved efficiency.
It also forms a key pillar of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which seeks to double the size of the emirate’s economy within the next decade and position Dubai among the top three global cities for business and innovation.
The Emirates–flydubai–DOF partnership signifies more than just a financial collaboration – it is a blueprint for how global cities can integrate digital solutions into every layer of their economic and social systems. By targeting international tourists and leveraging Dubai’s aviation and fintech leadership, the initiative promises to set a global standard for digital tourism and smart governance.
As Dubai prepares for a new era of frictionless commerce and travel, its skies – powered by Emirates and flydubai – are not just filled with aircraft, but with the promise of a truly cashless, connected, and intelligent future.
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