The Commissioner/CEO Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria, Engr. Akin Olateru, has charged all the aviation stakeholders to think out of box, and embrace technology to the fullest as a tool to changing their strategies amidst global pandemic.
He made this call during the webinar session organised by the League of Airport Aviation Correspondent (LAAC), with the theme “The Nigeria Aviation Industry: Changing Times, Changing Strategies”.
Olateru, who expressed optimism that the aviation sector would rebound post COVID-19, said that business organisations in the sector need to start thinking out of the box in order to compete and survive after the pandemic.
“We need to revamp and review our processes and ensure we stay on top of our game and the only way for any company to weather this storm is to think out of the box”
He added that the industry needs to invest in Infortmation Technology so as to simplify the sector’s processes. “Offline check-in must be encouraged, and all airlines should reduce physical contact as much as possible. The airports need to encourage a lot of offline check-in so you don’t have to come to the airport before you can check in and get your boarding pass”, he said.
Dr. Gabriel Olowo, President of Sabre Network West Africa, who was also a panellist at the webinar session stated that self-service check-in is needed at this time, adding that airlines and airports should be thinking of how passengers and airport users can avoid physical contact.
Another Panellist, Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Capt. Hamisu Yadudu, seeks for the massive cooperation of the airlines and the agencies to follow the safety guidelines to reposition the sector globally.
Also speaking, Air Peace Chairman, Allen Onyema, stressed the need to continue to create safety awareness to the flying public and also enjoin all airline operators to disinfect their aircrafts to ensure safety of the passengers and crew member.