Venezuela’s Maiquetía International Airport is moving toward accepting cryptocurrencies as a means of payment for airline tickets and other services. The announcement, made by airport director Freddy Borges, signals a significant step in the mainstream adoption of digital assets within the country.
Payment System Upgrade
Speaking to local media, Borges stated that the airport is working with the national cryptocurrency watchdog Sunacrip to activate a “cryptocurrency payment button” across airport platforms and commercial activities. “We will activate a button for cryptocurrency payments in the airport platforms and commercial activities, in coordination with Sunacrip,” Borges explained. He emphasized the importance of adapting to new financial tools that tourists may use, noting that Maiquetía serves 17 international destinations and is the busiest civil airport in Venezuela.
Three Crypto Options
Borges specified that the payment system will support three digital currencies: Bitcoin, Dash, and the state-issued Petro token. The move aims to streamline transactions for international visitors who may prefer using cryptocurrencies over the rapidly depreciating local fiat currency, the bolívar.
Previous Endeavors
This is not the first time Venezuelan airlines have explored crypto payments. In 2019, state-owned carrier Conviasa began selling tickets in Petros, with then-crypto superintendent Joselit Ramirez claiming confirmations would complete in under two minutes. More recently, in August 2021, private airline Turpial Airlines announced it would accept Bitcoin for tickets, becoming one of the first private airlines in the country to do so.
Broader Context
The airport’s initiative aligns with President Nicolás Maduro’s statement earlier this year that 2021 would be a “revival” year for all cryptocurrency systems. However, Venezuela continues to grapple with hyperinflation and currency devaluation. On October 1, 2021, the government redenominated the bolívar by slashing six zeros from its value in an effort to simplify transactions. Against this backdrop, crypto payment options may offer a more stable alternative for both locals and travelers.
Further details on the rollout timeline and technical integration are expected as Sunacrip finalizes the regulatory framework. If successful, Maiquetía Airport will join a small but growing list of global airports directly enabling crypto payments for flight tickets.