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Etihad Flies Into Web3 World with NFT
Among all the brands to launch a non-fungible token (NFT) this year, an airline was not predicted to join the trend in 2022. Yet, starting on July 21, 2022, aviation enthusiasts will be able to add a Boeing 787 Dreamliner digital model to their collection.
Middle East carrier Etihad Airways is landing in Web3 with the launch of their own NFT collection, titled EY-ZERO1, which comes with plenty of utility.
Holder Benefits Includes Elite Status, “Additional Prizes” for First Owners
The collection consists of 2,003 NFT collectibles on the Polygon blockchain, showcasing numerous liveries of the Abu Dhabi-based carrier over the past 19 years. The rarest NFT is the carrier’s “Greenliner” livery NFT, demonstrating the airline’s dedication to conservation and emission-cutting technologies across their operations.
Owners will also have the opportunity to mint one of 101 NFTs featuring the carrier’s special livery celebrating their partnership with Manchester United FC and the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The remaining NFTs will come from their “Choose Well” series, featuring one of seven liveries celebrating their unique destinations from their emirate: China, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, and the United States.
The NFTs will come with plenty of utility for frequent flyers of the airline. In addition to owning a limited edition collectible, owners will get at least one year of Etihad Guest Silver elite status, which comes with priority check-in when flying the airline, access to airport lounges at Abu Dhabi International Airport, and extra weight allowances for baggage. The airline is also promising the original owners of each NFT “additional prizes” yet to be determined.
As an additional utility of the NFTs, leaders for Etihad say each purchase will further sustainability in both the blockchain and their airline operations. Funds raised from the NFT project will be dedicated to purchasing sustainable aviation fuel for the carrier’s aircraft, while they will partner with Aerial.is to track carbon dioxide emissions from minting the NFTs.
“As well as recognising the artistic value of our aircraft liveries, our NFT collection has been designed to be as efficient as possible and support our wider sustainability and decarbonisation efforts at Etihad Airways,” said Tony Douglas, group chief executive officer of Etihad Aviation Group, in a press release. “NFTs and other metaverse technologies are revolutionizing the digital economy, and we are proud to be one of the first airlines in the world to explore their potential to provide additional utility for our customers.”
Each NFT will cost $349 USD (plus local tax) at launch on Arcube.io, with sales opening on July 21 at 10 a.m. Eastern TIme. NFT artwork will be revealed to owners on July 24. Any NFTs left unpurchased when sales close on August 18 will be eliminated from the collection.
