Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways introduces ‘fly now, pay later’ option

The launch highlights increasing collaboration between airlines and financial technology firms in the Gulf, as carriers introduce more flexible payment options within their booking platforms. File
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Updated 22 February 2026
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Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways introduces ‘fly now, pay later’ option

RIYADH: Kuwaiti low-cost carrier Jazeera Airways has introduced a “fly now, pay later” payment option, partnering with local fintech firm deema to offer interest-free installment payments.

The airline said the new payment solution allows passengers to split flight costs into two to four installments through deema, Kuwait’s first licensed buy-now, pay-later platform, providing greater flexibility for travelers amid rising demand for digital payment options. 

The integration is embedded into Jazeera Airways’ booking platform, enabling instant eligibility checks at checkout and allowing customers to complete purchases without additional financing steps, according to a press release.

The launch highlights increasing collaboration between airlines and financial technology firms in the Gulf, as carriers introduce more flexible payment options within their booking platforms. 

Barathan Pasupathi, CEO of Jazeera Airways, said: “At Jazeera Airways, we are committed to lowering the barriers to travel through agile digital innovation. By achieving our fastest-ever payment integration with deema, we are not just adding a payment method; we are providing a seamless, Kuwaiti homegrown financial solution.”  

He added: “This partnership empowers our passengers to ‘fly now and pay later’ with absolute ease, reinforcing our mission to make travel accessible to everyone.” 

The system currently supports transactions in Kuwaiti dinars, with the airline receiving the full booking amount upfront while deema handles customer repayments. 

“We are very excited to partner with Jazeera Airways as the first airline in Kuwait to introduce the deema solution. This was one of the quickest integrations achieved - thanks to the fast moving and talented team at Jazeera Airways,” said Bader Al-Ghanim, head of innovation and partnerships at deema.  

He added: “This project truly demonstrates the airline’s ability to rapidly deploy customer-centric solutions to meet the evolving needs of its tech-savvy travelers.” 

Jazeera Airways said the partnership forms part of a wider effort to expand its digital ecosystem and support Kuwait’s growing fintech sector by working with local technology providers. 

The airline added that the “fly now, pay later” offering is among several planned digital initiatives aimed at improving customer experience across its expanding route network. 


Marine insurance companies are considering canceling, repricing policies in the Middle East

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Marine insurance companies are considering canceling, repricing policies in the Middle East

RIYADH: Marine insurance companies are considering canceling or repricing policies in the Middle East, according to the Financial Times

This comes after the US and Israeli strikes on targets inside Iran, followed by missile attacks and retaliatory military actions in several countries in the region.

Marine brokers expect insurance premiums for ships to rise by up to 50 percent, given the region’s classification as a “war zone.”

Ship owners are considering rerouting their vessels to avoid the Strait of Hormuz and reduce risks to crews and cargo.

20% of the global oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Regarding oil prices, a rise is expected as 20 percent of global oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, amid concerns about continued tensions in the region.

Air traffic in the Middle East was severely disrupted after several countries closed their airspace completely or partially, while regional and international airlines suspended or rescheduled flights.

On the morning of March 1st,  the Iranian capital, Tehran, witnessed several large explosions following Israel's announcement of what it described as a “preemptive strike.”

Flights to countries in the region suspended due to attacks

In a video message, US President Donald Trump announced that the US had begun “major combat operations” in Iran, asserting that the goal was to defend the American people by neutralizing what he described as the “imminent threat” from the Iranian regime.

Several regional and international airlines announced the suspension of their flights to some countries in the region due to the attacks.

These military developments come at a time when major shipping companies had already avoided the Red Sea and Suez Canal routes due to security tensions, reverting to the Cape of Good Hope route, which increases shipping costs and puts pressure on global supply chains.

With the closure of airspace in several countries in the region, the risk of disruption to air traffic and trade is increasing, while oil markets are watching closely for any signs of potential supply disruptions from a region that is one of the world's most important energy production hubs.