Group Managing Director of Finchglow Holdings, Bankole Bernard, has tasked concerned stakeholders to conduct extensive research and derive relevant and honest data for the aviation industry to thrive.
At the 28th Annual League of Aviation and Airport Correspondents (LAAC) conference, in Lagos recently, Bernard complained that the paucity of harmonised data in the industry.
He said: “We always say we have 15 million travellers in Nigeria out of 240 million people. Clearly, we are not illiterate. Day-in-day-out, we hear that five per cent of the population are air travellers. Meanwhile, who is verifying these figures?”
Acknowledging that the aviation industry would not thrive without a central data system, he emphasised that data is important to formulate policies and drive smart decision-making for the aviation sphere.
The aviation expert also underscored the ignored impact of policy continuity in the sector, claiming that new governments changing existing policies doesn’t help the sector, but maintaining consistent policies puts the industry on a pedestal of success.
“Unfortunately for us as an industry, everything about us is dollarised, and that has a lot of impact on our operations. I believe that the government can initiate policies that will support the industry. There must be policies that will sustain the industry by helping it to stay afloat,” the GMD said.
From a technological standpoint, the Managing Director of FCM Nigeria, Adejoju Olutimayin, asserted the quintessential tool of technology in taking the travel industry to the skies.
She explained that leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data analytics to provide seamless, personalised travel experiences and optimise travel spending would make business travel flexible and cost-effective.
“This integration streamlines travel booking and expense management, provides real-time travel support, and ensures clients receive top-notch service.”
The travel expert buttressed that sustainable travel practices are gaining traction as more corporations integrate eco-friendly options into their travel policies as this aligns with global efforts to reduce carbon footprints.
For the assimilation of AI into industries including aviation, the International Monetary Fund released the AI Preparedness Index (AIPI), revealing the level of AI preparedness across 174 countries.