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.