Following in the footsteps of its competitors, Uganda Airlines launched its own mobile app on August 15 in an effort to improve client communications and create a more equitable distribution of ticket sales between internal channels and outside sales representatives.
Bookings have been split 60/40 between booking agencies and the carrier’s own channels, including the website and sales offices, according to the most recent reservations statistics. Officials now believe that the App will encourage a more fair distribution of sales between owned channels and external agents, or possibly totally reverse the trend in the carrier’s favor.
Adedayo Olawuyi, Chief Commercial Officer, was eager to point out that the App was not, in any way, meant to replace travel agents.
“We value the sales agents and will continue to cooperate with them; we are not against our partners in the travel industry. We just realized that people are becoming more dependent on their mobile devices for daily activities, including travel, which is why we had to make this App accessible to them, he told AirInsight.
For instance, after providing essential information like their biodata and identification documents, a customer won’t have to do so again when booking a subsequent trip. All of this is now safely kept and will be requested of the user automatically each time they use the app.
Users of the App will be able to enroll in the airline’s Craneflyer frequent flyer program, search for flights, book reservations, check in, process digital boarding tickets, and check-in. Additionally, users can pre-declare their dining choices. While more capabilities will be added in the future, according to chief executive Jenifer Bamuturaki, the App will streamline communication between the airline and its passengers in addition to providing a customized travel experience.
“There is a communication snag when we employ third parties, like travel agents, to book people because we don’t have access to essential information like the clients’ telephone numbers. The App will make it simpler for us to inform our customers if there is a service interruption for whatever reason, according to Bamuturaki.
In addition, users can pay for flights using the major international debit or credit cards or the mobile-money wallets provided by telecom providers in East Africa utilizing the App’s real-time flight tracking feature, according to Bamuturaki.