CBDC Adoption: Chinese Air Tickets with Digital Yuan

China's central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot has taken flight, offering Chinese business travelers the option to buy air tickets using the digital yuan.

The China Merchants Bank, in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Administration Clearing Center, has launched an e-CNY platform enabling both companies and entrepreneurs to pay for business air tickets using the digital yuan.

Additionally, the platform allows business passengers to access new services using the digital currency.

The first successful implementation of the platform was conducted by Suzhou China Travel Service, which purchased tickets on behalf of its clients.

An official launch ceremony for the platform was held recently.

In their joint statement, the Civil Aviation Administration and China Merchants Bank expressed their commitment to providing more efficient, high-quality services to an increasing number of business travelers.

They also plan to explore the application of the digital yuan in other sectors of the civil aviation industry.

The People's Bank of China (PBoC) has been actively promoting the use of the digital yuan in the country's transport network.

In 2022, Beijing Daxing International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport initiated a cargo-related digital yuan-powered project.

Some airports within the pilot zone have reportedly started accepting the e-CNY for goods and services, with various transport systems, including railways, light rail connections, metros, and buses, upgrading their systems to accept digital yuan payments.

Shenzhen has reported that its residents have opened nearly 36 million digital yuan wallets, with over 7 million new wallets opened since the beginning of the year.

In another effort to encourage adoption, the city of Changzhou has announced a $700,000 CBDC token and coupon giveaway.