Emirates and Al Etihad Payments have signed an agreement that allows travellers to pay for flights with the UAE’s new national card scheme, Jaywan, starting 16 September. Customers will be able to use Jaywan debit and prepaid cards on emirates.com and in Emirates retail stores and will receive introductory fare discounts through August 2027. Jaywan is the centre-piece of the Central Bank’s drive to localise payment rails and reduce dependence on foreign card networks. For corporate-travel managers the addition means expense reconciliation in dirhams without foreign-exchange mark-ups, a welcome change for companies that book large volumes of intra-GCC travel. Emirates’ chief commercial officer Adnan Kazim said the airline “continues to work with partners across the digital-payments ecosystem to support the UAE’s shift toward a cashless economy.” Al Etihad Payments noted that integration with the country’s flagship carrier gives Jaywan immediate nationwide visibility. Practical tip: multinational assignees who open UAE bank accounts will automatically receive Jaywan cards; mobility teams should update travel-policy guidelines so that new arrivals can benefit from the promotional fare reductions and avoid FX fees on domestic ticket purchases.
Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)
