Airlines issuing Nfts - AirBaltic being the first, will Emirates be next?

AirBaltic are about to release their second NFT collection - ‘Planies’. A new NFT collection of 10,000 unique cartoon aircraft designs. The airline is working towards providing holders of the collectibles with ‘airBaltic Club points’, and other loyalty program benefits in the future.

 The ‘Planies’ will be the second collection issued by airBaltic. Following its last collection ‘airBaltic city collection’. The digital art pieces served as a tourism capaign for Latvian cities. 

Martin Gauss, Chief Executive Officer of AirBaltic: “The blockchain technology has proven to be here long-term. After being the first airline to accept Bitcoin as a form of payment, it is the next step for us in blockchain technology to offer non-fungible tokens. NFTs are not only used for digital art transactions but may as well be expanded to tickets for concerts and other unique one-time pieces, including airline tickets. The issue of the limited collector NFTs will serve as a tourism campaign for Latvian cities, certainly still an undiscovered destination for many.”

Click here to see - AirBaltic City Collection

Additionally, airBaltic was the first airline to accept Bitcoin to purchase flight tickets back in 2014. They have now expanded and accept various cryptocurrencies, Including Bitcoin Cash, Ether and Dodgecoin for bookings made via their website.

The new ‘Planies’ collection will showcase an individual Airbus A220-300 minted on the ethereum blockchain. The planes will be generated from 180 different traits, such as wings, engines, a mouth, eyes etc.

Click here to see - Planies collection

AirBaltic has proven to be at the forefront of integrating blockchain technology within its business model.

Will Emirates be next?

Emirates, following from rivals is said to be the next airline moving into the digital and NFT space. They are currently working towards their next innovative NFT, which are said to have properties of collectability and utility, for both customers and employees.

Sheikh Ahmed, Chairman and Chief Executive of  Emirates Airline and Group said: “We are excited about the prospects in the digital space of the future. And are committing significant investment in financial and resource terms, to develop products and services using advanced technologies that will deliver on revenue, brand experience, and business efficiencies”.

Click here to see - Emirates press release ‘ Emirates to launch NFTs and experiences in the metaverse’