Spanish low-cost airline Vueling is exploring the capabilities of blockchain and NFT (non-fungible token) technology to accept cryptocurrencies as a means of payment for services. The company aims to offer this payment option to users by the third quarter of 2023, with the backing of Criptan, a registered Spanish cryptocurrency exchange. After Covid-19 travel restrictions endedandone of Spain’s budget airlines has taken the first steps to accept crypto as payment for its services. announced on January 14 that it is exploring the use of blockchain and NFT technology to allow customers to acquire plane tickets in cryptocurrencies.
To this task, Vueling has partnered with Criptan, a national exchange registered with the Banco de Spain, to act as a payment company using cryptocurrencies to process and complete customer orders. playing a role.
Vueling says the move will make it the first low-cost airline to accept cryptocurrencies as a means of payment in Europe. In this regard, Vueling Alliance and Distribution Manager Jesus Monzo said:
This agreement will allow us to stay at the forefront of new technology and innovation, further strengthening our commitment to our customers and ensuring that we deliver the best and most advanced products. . Our website tools and solutions.
Criptan’s CEO, Jorge Soriano, said that with the introduction of cryptocurrency payments, Criptan will improve user experience by showing customers the potential behind implementing such a solution. said he was confident that they could improve
This feature is expected to be available on airline websites by Q3 2023 and will use UATP technology, a global payment network for airlines. The company did not disclose which cryptocurrencies will be accepted.
Airlines and Cryptocurrencies
Other airlines are introducing cryptocurrencies and NFTs as part of their retail operations. One of them is the Argentinean airline Flybondi, which announced in September 2022 that it will issue airline tickets as his NFTs, allowing users to sell them on the secondary market. As part of that partnership, the company will also accept payments in stablecoins like USDC, using Binance Pay as its payment processing partner.
But even before that, the Venezuelan government reported that it will accept several cryptocurrencies as payment for airline tickets in October 2021, including the national token. A certain Peter was included.
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