Air Europa has announced that it has joined forces with TravelX, the company building the travel industry’s first blockchain-based distribution protocol, and blockchain platform Algorand to release the world’s first NFT (non-fungible token) flight ticket series, called “NFTickets”.
With purchase, owners will receive access to a special Air Europa flight to Miami Beach on 29 November 2022, as well as perks and events ahead of the premier art show of the Americas taking place in Miami Beach this December. Ten NFTickets in partnership with acclaimed artists will be released every 14 days via auction platform travelxchange.com/.
“Innovation is in our DNA, we have been pioneers in applying new technologies within our industry and it cannot be different with NFTs, which could be the next step in the travel industry,” said Bernardo Botella, Global Sales Director at Air Europa. “We are proud to be the first airline to adopt blockchain technology for inventory management and distribution. We’re excited to see where this could take travel as a whole and how it could improve customer experience.”
NFTickets function as traditional NFTs and are individually rare. When traded, transactions are recorded safely and securely on the blockchain. When ready to use, the owner can present the NFT and a matching flight ticket will be issued. The TravelX and Air Europa NFTickets will offer buyers an opportunity to hold a piece of travel industry history and participate in the first-ever blockchain-backed flight.
The NFTicket series titled, “The Art as the Destination,” is being curated by Ximena Caminos, who commissioned acclaimed multi-disciplinary artist Carlos Betancourt for the first piece.
“Artists are intrigued by discovery, exploration,” said Betancourt. “The same is with technology. With this piece, I’m experimenting with the boundaries of art and technology. The animated artwork is inspired by concepts of space, magical realms and travel experiences, as well as by the memories and feelings these experiences evoke.”
“It’s very exciting to give birth to a new kind of NFT, minted on Algorands carbon-negative blockchain,” said Facundo Diaz, Co-Founder of TravelX. “We will blend the best of the traditional NFT, but add real-world application and experience. This provides a better flight ticket that travelers can easily manage and trade from their blockchain wallet, combined with a new kind of collectible art piece. We believe NFTickets will be the perfect fusion of art, travel, and technology.”
FTE EMEA Futurist Keynote announced: Cryptos, NFTs and the Metaverse – The Next Growth Frontiers?
The adoption of NFTs is paving the way for the development of innovative solutions in the travel industry. This emerging trend will come under the spotlight at the upcoming FTE EMEA show in Dublin on 7-9 June, when Rohit Talwar, CEO, Fast Future Research, will deliver a future-looking keynote titled ‘Cryptos, NFTs and the Metaverse – The Next Growth Frontiers?’. Click here to browse through the conference agendas and register to attend.
