Yemisi Izuora
Arik Air, a leading carrier in Nigeria and West Africa, has launched a Self-Service Kiosk, in addition to the launching of two extra payment options to broaden payment options available to passengers.
The Self Service Kiosk according to a statement from the airline allows passengers to make bookings and pay for Arik Air tickets at a kiosk without the intervention of a human being and this innovation is the first of its kind in Nigeria. The statement also said that the Kiosks are being rolled out across Nigeria in phases starting with Lagos and that it is currently available at Arik Air City Office; 44 Toyin Street Ikeja, Lagos, adding that the other two other payment options are Globalpay and Internet Banking/Bank Branch Payment (NIBSS Ebills Pay).
The airline explained that Global Pay, a product of Zenith Bank, allows the Verve card, MasterCard, Visa Card holders and Zenith Bank Internet banking users make payment for Arik Air tickets on the Arik Air Mobile Website and the Internet Banking and Branch Payment option which went live on 2nd November, 2015 enable passengers’ book and pay for tickets on Arik Air website using their internet banking credentials and Bank Branch Locations.
Commenting on the addition of these alternative payment options, the Managing Director of Arik Air Mr. Chris Ndulue who noted that e-commerce holds the key to future business success said;” Our renewed focus is on the introduction and deployment of technologies that will not only increase in-flight travel comfort but will provide more convenient avenues to book flights, get travel updates, check-in and constantly remain in touch with Arik”.
Mr. Ndulue, while disclosing that Arik Air is the first airline to launch a Self Service Kiosk, gave an assurance that these alternative payment platforms come with enhanced security and have recorded 99 per cent payment success rate since their introduction.