By Chinelo Obogo
To address the increasing challenges faced by passengers, such as flight delays and cancellations, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has selected a blockchain-based platform to provide immediate relief to stranded or dissatisfied passengers, while minimising operational risks for airlines.
During a stakeholder meeting at the weekend in Lagos, NCAA’s Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, began his tenure worried about the impact of flight disruptions on Nigerian passengers who often have to pay high airfares for short distance flights and has begun to make effort for long-term fixes.
He said though Nigerian airlines are doing their best, the government is looking for ways to assist the operators without compromising the passengers and at the same time, the NCAA is also seeking additional layers of protection for air travellers whom he said must be protected much better than is being done. “We have been in discussions with a number of insurance firms and insurance advocacies, to come up with a new system that does this without putting the operators business at unnecessary risk,” he said.
Achimugu stated that of all the models presented to the NCAA, Breezetech Technologies was selected as the most implementable as theirs is a block chain portal that offers almost immediate comfort to stranded or dissatisfied passengers while still at the terminals but also factors in the interest of the airlines. “It is a marriage four-way marriage between technology, insurance, operators, and regulator,” he said.
He continued, “We appreciate our dear Nigerian airlines for their stoicism. We understand better than anyone else how challenging the business environment is. We know how low profit margins are, if existent at all. We also know that not all flight disruptions are the faults of the airlines. Despite these, we have airlines paying out refunds and compensations at an encouraging rate.
“I have also monitored the trend in nations across the world, and I say with pride that, given the peculiar environment, Nigerian airlines are trying and, therefore, deserving of a standing ovation. The question now becomes, how do we assist the airlines without compromising the passengers? The NCAA is seeking additional layers of protection for air travellers. They are the kings of the industry and must be protected much better than is being done.
“The Authority has looked at the Breezetech block chain portal and the pedigree of the brain behind it. We have peeled back layer upon layer from the many possible solutions on offer, and it is the measured conclusion of the NCAA that what we are about to discuss here today, is, on paper, the most practicable model available to all stakeholders for now. It is important that this project has the buy-in of the operators.
“The NCAA of Capt. Chris Najomo has a listening ear and an open mind. We ask the same of all stakeholders. Let us examine this project and critique it most objectively. We want to build something that is suitable to our peculiar situation. Also, because we seek a holistic approach to resolving consumer protection, data gathering, passenger identification, and security issues, this project is being expanded to cover more than just additional insurance.”