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NCAA Hailed for Restoring Air Travel Market Credibility

By on April 29, 2011

Managing Director of  Sabre Travel Solutions, Mr. Gbenga Olowo,  has said the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) restored credibility in air travel in Nigeria by improving safety, thereby boosting the market.

Olowo made the observation recently in Lagos during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Sabre Travel Solutions.

He noted that travel agencies were now in business  as there had been increase in number of air passengers that travelled within  and out of the country.

“NCAA has done well,  it has worked very well in the area of aviation safety, so when safety is guaranteed, you enjoy travelling. What about seamless travel? That is what Sabre has brought now. The days of running to the airlines’ office to queue is over. You approach your travel agency, acquire your ticket, book your hotel, car and payment is made seamlessly,” he said.

He reiterated that credibility has been restored to the Nigerian market because  airlines now respect the travel agencies for being  credible.

“Credibility has been restored to the Nigerian market. Airlines respect our travel agencies because they are credible, they are not running away with their money. What makes them credible? The platform Sabre brought- the platform of billing settlement plan (BSP) that puts the agency in a direct relationship with the airlines, payment is done directly into their account, nobody owns anybody, there is no suspicion, it is cool business and we are all happy.”

Olowo said that Sabre operated with only airlines that were members of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), adding that in Nigeria the company worked with such IATA members as Arik Air and Air Nigeria.

The Nigeria airlines on Sabre include Air Nigeria, Arik Air, it is only for airlines that are IATA-listed. IATA is the umbrella body for the global airlines. Nigerian airlines that are not IATA-listed may not be able to access our platform. Airlines that are IATA-listed can have inventory on any airline.

For instance, Sabre can provide a platform for any passenger travelling from any part of the world into Nigeria. It has made travel seamless because Sabre will provide the platform.”

On the source of Sabre in Nigeria, Olowo said that Sabre entered the market four years ago.

He added, “The idea we brought in is to ensure that stakeholders own the business who are the stakeholders, airlines practitioners, travel agencies, as you do business in your office, it is like you are working for yourself. So, you grow that business, in the last four years, Sabre has moved to number two position in the market.

“The bigger competitors have been in Nigeria for 15 years, and just in 10 years, we are in number two position, our aspiration is to become number one in five years because the business is innovative, the idea is innovative, let Nigerians do the business.”

Source : Thisday