His Highness Sheikh Ahmad bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Chairman of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and the CEO of Emirates Airlines and the group, alongside H.E. Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of Salik, have finalized an agreement aimed at facilitating seamless payment for vehicle parking. This collaboration is between Salik, the exclusive operator of toll gates in Dubai, and Dubai Airports, which manages the world’s busiest international airport. The agreement will allow the integration of an innovative payment system into the Salik electronic wallet for settling parking fees at Dubai International Airport, which boasts 7,400 parking spots across Terminals 1, 2, and 3, as well as the cargo building, set to commence on January 22, 2026.
The agreement was signed by Ibrahim Sultan Al Haddad, CEO of Salik, and Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, in the presence of several officials from both sides.
Under this agreement, Salik will integrate its electronic wallet system with the vehicle parking management system used by Dubai Airports, enabling users to pay fees directly through their Salik wallet accounts. This initiative is designed to enhance the parking experience, leading to smoother traffic flow.
New Standards
Ibrahim Sultan Al Haddad, CEO of Salik, stated: “Dubai International Airport stands as one of the leading gateways in the world, setting new standards through aviation’s role in fostering tourism, trade, and investment. We take pride in supporting Dubai’s position as a global economic hub, guided by our shared vision of developing a smart and sustainable infrastructure. By merging the Salik electronic wallet with the systems at Dubai International Airport, we aim to provide a seamless and efficient experience for roadway users and contribute to the development of advanced transport solutions in the emirate.” He added, “This agreement aligns with our strategy to expand Salik’s role in smart and sustainable mobility, accelerating our growth beyond toll collection. It also builds on the momentum we have gained in providing smooth parking solutions across key destinations in the UAE, reinforcing our status as a trusted partner in digital payment solutions for leading destinations and infrastructure operators in the UAE.”
Exceptional Experience
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, remarked: “Dubai Airports is committed to delivering an exceptional experience for its guests while ensuring high operational performance through a hospitality approach centered on individual experiences, ensuring that every journey reflects Dubai’s ambitions and visionary spirit. Vehicle parking serves as both the first and last point of contact for our guests, playing a crucial role in shaping the overall airport experience.” Griffiths continued, “Our collaboration with Salik offers a rapid, reliable, and widely accessible digital payment option, streamlining the parking experience, reducing congestion at exits, and supporting our long-term vision for seamless access to all parking facilities. With over 4.7 million vehicles in the UAE linked to Salik accounts, this partnership provides a familiar and convenient solution for a large segment of our clientele, while also aiding Dubai’s broader ambitions as a smart city. This move complements Dubai Airports’ commitment to smart and sustainable operations and seamless travel experiences built on the latest innovations in digital payment solutions and our recent notable sustainability achievements.”
This partnership aims to assist Dubai Airports in implementing a seamless entry and exit system in parking areas, increasing vehicle capacity, and improving traffic flow around the terminal buildings, along with delivering a fully digital and more comfortable parking experience.
Under the agreement, Salik will be responsible for integrating, operating, and maintaining its electronic wallet system, while Dubai Airports will ensure the continued availability of multiple payment channels, with Salik’s electronic wallet being recognized as a seamless and convenient payment solution, in collaboration with the vehicle parking operator for Dubai Airports, to complete the technical integration and promote the new payment solution within the airport facilities.
The Salik electronic wallet includes services for paying parking fees at all vehicle locations associated with Terminals 1, 2, and 3, as well as the cargo building.
By partnering with Dubai Airports, Salik is broadening its business model to encompass one of the region’s most vital aviation assets, as Dubai International Airport recorded its highest quarterly traffic ever in its 65-year history during the third quarter of 2025, welcoming 24.2 million passengers from July to September, marking a 1.9% year-on-year growth, resulting in a total of 70.1 million passengers in the first nine months of the year.