IATA to offer digital currencies in financial settlement systems

THE International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that it will offer digital currencies in the financial settlement systems it operates for the aviation industry.

According to IATA’s Senior Vice President for Financial Settlement and Distribution Services, Muhammad Albakri, “Digitalization impacts many aspects of our daily lives, including the currency we use. With the increasing use of digital currencies, it is imperative that IATA’s industry financial settlement systems adapt to support the needs of those using our services.”

While revealing that the first digital currency to be offered is the digital Renminbi, which will be available in the China Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) by the end of 2024, Albakri declared: China is one of the most advanced countries in the world in the adoption of digital currency.

Recognising the trend, IATA’s China Airline Committee requested for the digital Renminbi to be included in the BSP. This is an important development and IATA will accommodate the digital Renminbi by year-end.”

IATA is also examining the potential to offer other digital currencies in its settlement systems based on the needs and requirements of the industry.

Still speaking, Albakri added: The experience gained in introducing the digital Renminbi will help IATA in onboarding other digital currencies in the future.”

In July 2024, IATA added the Renminbi Offshore (CNH) currency to its IATA Currency Clearance Service (ICCS), bringing the total number of currencies handled by the service to 74.

The ICCS is IATA’s global cash management system which enables airline treasurers to repatriate their sales funds worldwide to their preferred nominated currencies.  This results in accelerated and improved working capital management and reduced foreign exchange risks.

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