Travel professionals, airline partners examine AI, NDC, smarter airline retailing
Finchglow Travels has brought together key players in Nigeria’s travel industry in Port Harcourt to explore emerging technologies and evolving airline distribution models, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI), New Distribution Capability (NDC) and smarter airline retailing.
The engagement, held on October 23 under the company’s PartnerPlus Connect initiative, featured PPC Live, a platform designed to promote knowledge-sharing, industry collaboration and stronger relationships between travel agencies, airlines and technology providers.
The event provided an opportunity for industry stakeholders to examine how technological advancements are reshaping travel distribution, business operations and customer engagement, while considering what travel businesses must do to remain competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace.
With artificial intelligence creating new possibilities for business automation and customer service, discussions at PPC Live centred on how travel agencies could adapt to changing industry dynamics, strengthen their commercial relationships with airlines and take advantage of emerging distribution technologies.
Speaking on the importance of technology adoption across the travel ecosystem, Managing Director of Finchglow Travels, Ezekiel Ikotun, said improving the knowledge and capabilities of travel agencies would ultimately translate into better services for travellers.
He explained that Finchglow Travels operates within a wider distribution network, making airline products available to other travel agencies, and stressed that equipping these agencies with the right industry knowledge, technology and business capabilities was essential to improving the end-user experience.
Ikotun disclosed that the company was developing a more robust technological framework to enhance access to travel products and services, simplify business processes and promote greater automation across its distribution ecosystem.
He noted that the growing influence of artificial intelligence made it increasingly important for travel businesses to understand and embrace technologies capable of strengthening operational efficiency and commercial performance.
The event featured contributions from industry professionals with expertise spanning airline sales, aviation operations, travel distribution, technology and business leadership.
Representing Lufthansa German Airlines, Account Manager, Chigozie Nnah, shared insights from his experience managing travel agency and corporate accounts across Port Harcourt and South-Eastern Nigeria, including commercial negotiations, sales opportunities and account performance.
Abdulrahman Adamu, an aviation operations professional at Air Peace, provided an operational perspective informed by his experience in passenger services, flight turnaround coordination, station management, training and network expansion.
From the travel technology and distribution sector, Sales Manager at Amadeus Marketing Nigeria Limited, Ikechukwu Nwadialo, brought more than two decades of industry experience, offering insights into airline sales, travel distribution, corporate travel and digital transformation, including Global Distribution Systems (GDS), NDC, application programming interfaces (APIs) and online travel solutions.
Ikotun also examined the leadership dimension of the industry’s transformation, highlighting the importance of strategic decision-making, technology adoption, operational discipline and commercial execution in building sustainable travel businesses.
PPC Live was supported by industry partners whose participation reflected the importance of collaboration across the travel ecosystem.
Lufthansa, Amadeus, Ethiopian Airlines and Air Peace participated as confirmed partners, while Qatar Airways supported the engagement as Supporting Partner.
Speaking at the event, Country Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria, Firiehiwot Mekonnen, commended Finchglow Travels for creating a platform that brought airlines and travel agencies together for direct engagement.
She acknowledged the support of travel agencies in the region and welcomed Ethiopian Airlines’ expansion into Port Harcourt, its fifth destination in Nigeria.
Beyond the presentations, PPC Live provided travel professionals with an opportunity to interact directly with airline and technology representatives, exchange experiences, seek clarifications and establish stronger business relationships.
Through PartnerPlus Connect, Finchglow Travels is strengthening its commitment to industry engagement, knowledge-sharing and collaboration, while helping travel trade partners navigate the technological and commercial changes shaping the future of the industry.
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