A new digital wallet system is set to be piloted at Zayed International Airport, marking a major step toward fully cashless travel experiences in Abu Dhabi.
According to Khaleej Times, the initiative stems from a partnership between Abu Dhabi Airports and Al Hail Holding aimed at developing next-generation financial technologies, including stablecoin and digital-asset solutions, to make airport transactions faster and more secure.
Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said airports are “evolving from gateways into platforms for seamless digital commerce.” She added that the collaboration will “pilot cashless, next-generation payment technologies that simplify every step of the traveller journey and redefine convenience, sustainability and financial access.”
Under the agreement, a joint steering committee will oversee the project’s rollout. Abu Dhabi Airports will provide the operational framework and infrastructure, while Al Hail Holding will manage governance and financial structuring through its network of affiliates such as Zand Bank and Index Exchange. The fintech firm Xare will integrate the wallet’s payment and partner systems.
Beyond digital payments, the partnership will also explore innovations in smart mobility and sustainability, including AI-enabled transport systems designed to enhance efficiency and environmental performance across Abu Dhabi’s airport network.
Hamad Jassim Al Darwish, CEO of Al Hail Holding, said the collaboration supports the UAE’s broader goal of building a digital and diversified economy.
Milind Singh, co-founder of Xare, noted that the technology would “unlock entirely new traveller experiences and monetisation opportunities across the airport and the wider city,” paving the way for a seamless, cashless journey for all passengers.
