KEY POINTS

  • The launch aligns with UAE’s virtual assets initiatives
  • Emirates will continue to work with its partners on its Web3 strategy
  • Work on the firsts projects is already underway

United Arab Emirates (UAE) airliner Emirates is planning to launch non-fungible tokens (NFT) and experiences in the metaverse for its workers and customers. The launch is in line with UAE’s digital economy and virtual assets initiatives.

"The airline, which has earned a reputation for its innovative products and customer-centric services, today unveiled its plans to build signature brand experiences in the metaverse, alongside both collectible and utility-based NFTs. The first projects are already underway, with launch anticipated in the coming months," the company said in a statement released last week.

Emirates also announced that its Emirates Pavilion at the Expo 2020 site will be repurposed into a center for innovation, hiring from all over the globe to bring to life the airline’s future-focused projects including those relating to the metaverse, NFTs and Web3.

Airliner’s chairman and CEO Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum pointed to his company’s history of embracing advanced technologies and said, "Emirates has always embraced advanced technologies to improve our business processes, enhance our customer offering, and enrich our employees’ skills and experiences."

"We are excited about the opportunities in the digital space of the future and are committing a significant investment in financial and resourcing terms, to develop products and services using advanced technologies that will deliver on revenue, brand experience, and business efficiencies."

To help set Emirates on a path towards achieving these goals, the CEO said the airliner’s future-themed Emirates Pavilion at Expo “is being repurposed as a hub to develop cutting-edge future experiences aligned with the UAE’s vision for the digital economy.”

Last year, Emirates became the first airline to launch its own VR app on the Oculus store, offering users accurate, life-size and interactive cabin interior experiences onboard Emirates’ flagship A380 aircraft and Boeing 777-300ER Gamechanger aircraft.

UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015.
UAE flag flies over a boat at Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates May 22, 2015. Reuters / Ahmed Jadallah