The UAE’s domestic payment network, Jaywan, is gaining wider acceptance as airlines, shopping destinations and online retailers begin integrating the card into their payment systems.
Etihad Airways has become the first airline to accept Jaywan cards for flight bookings. Customers in the UAE can now use the payment option when booking through Etihad’s official website across the airline’s international network.
The development marks another step in the expansion of Jaywan, which is operated by Al Etihad Payments, a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE. The national card scheme was officially launched in July 2026 and is gradually being introduced by banks and licensed financial institutions.
Jaywan is also becoming more widely available across the retail sector. More than 200 Majid Al Futtaim locations in the UAE, including shopping, leisure, hospitality and entertainment destinations, are now accepting the card.
The expansion is expected to give consumers greater flexibility while helping businesses process more domestic transactions through a locally operated payment infrastructure.
Online acceptance is growing as well. Network International has integrated Jaywan into its e-commerce payment gateway, enabling thousands of UAE-based online merchants to accept the card. Payment technology company Telr has also introduced Jaywan acceptance across its merchant network.
The wider rollout supports the UAE’s efforts to strengthen its digital payments ecosystem, improve local transaction processing and potentially reduce payment-related costs for businesses.
Jaywan is also expected to gain an international footprint. Through a partnership between Al Etihad Payments and UnionPay International, eligible Jaywan cards are planned to work across UnionPay’s global network, covering millions of payment terminals and ATMs worldwide.
As more banks, merchants and payment providers adopt the scheme, Jaywan is moving from a newly introduced national card into a practical payment option for everyday spending in the UAE.
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