From Uche Usim, Abuja
Safety Travels Limited has unveiled an updated app and website that offers access to cheaper flights with the option to pay for them via their local cards without credit limit on foreign exchange.
The development described as a unique game changer in the air travel ecosystem, rides on an updated website and app that enhances global transactions in all G7 currencies and the naira; including enabling Nigerians purchase flight tickets at the official Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rate of N480 to a dollar. This is uniquely available for flight tickets originating from Nigeria. Users in other catchment areas get to pay in other major international currencies.
At a media interaction with journalists in Abuja recently, the Managing Director of the company, Mrs Uchenna Nwogu, said the offerings leverage the company’s 35 years track record of being an International Air Transport Association licensee.
She added that the update follows the developer, Chidiebube Nwogu’s observation of a litany of challenges on the platform hosted on Amazon website, which has issues catering to its West African customers, its dominant market. Nwogu proceeded to create an Application Programming Interface (API) and website for the agency, and migrated the agency’s website and app from Amadeus server to Cloudfare; a United States’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) deployed server host.
She said: “They can make payments from the comfort of their homes at any time and we have a support system that helps users make changes when necessary. The platforms are interactive, and flexible.
“Airlines operate on the GDS system. In Nigeria, every agency and every airline operates 80 percent on the Amadeus system and Galileo (the Global Distribution System (GDS points). What you see on British Airways is what you see on Amadeus. That is what every travel agency on IATA sees.
“When we started the app last year, we were using the Permalex API. Now, we have created our own API, which means that even British Airways can buy from us, and any bank selling API can integrate into it”.
Working with the most secure server host, the travel agency assured of secure card payments as it passed the United Kingdom’s scrutiny and stringent acceptance process for Stripe Payment to become a global platform, with a 95 per cent rating on Google page for speed, security and accessibility.
Addressing the advantages of the app for Nigerians, developer, Matthew Bamidele said the new development saves Nigerians the stress of third-party payment system which incurs extra charges for local travelers, and Stripe Payment for first time travelers, and a secured payment system.
“Your naira card will tell you that you have exceeded a limit when paying in foreign currency. So, you have to start buying foreign currencies and registering for an online bank you are unfamiliar with that can shutdown at any time. You can pay at any time, without having to deal with the $50 withdrawal limit on Master and Visa cards. That is unless you have a virtual card that pays in dollars, then you have to buy in black markets to load those cards, and those platforms have their own charging fees, causing the user to spend more,” said Abidemi.