AirAsia to roll out its own cryptocurrency
Budget airline AirAsia plans to launch a proprietary cryptocurrency to convert frequent flyer points into digital dollars.
AirAsia founder and chief executive Tony Fernandes said it will launch the BigCoin cryptocurrency with its own initial coin offering (ICO).
BigCoin will then be available for use for ancilliary products such as in-flight meals and upgrades within a few months of the launch, Fernandes told Nikkei Asian Review.
It is unclear whether the airline will develop its own blockchain system or use an existing platform.
"Starting in April, ticket prices will be quoted on the group’s website in conventional currencies as well as in BigCoin," Fernandes said.
A cryptocurrency option will save on excessive exchange rate costs and settlement risk, he said.
Other Asia Pacific airlines are currently mulling blockchain technology including Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines.
The latter also plans to integrate blockchain tech into its loyalty programmes, through its own private blockchain platform.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments
AirlineRatings reveals world's safest airline rankings for 2026
Vietnam warns airlines of possible flight reductions amid jet fuel shortages
Fliggy opens AI-powered travel bookings and developer tools