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Tag: ValueJet

  • ValueJet Airlines unveils AI platform

    ValueJet Airlines unveils AI platform

    ValueJet Airlines has officially launched VIKI, an AI-powered digital concierge designed to transform how passengers access flight services, making it the first airline in Africa to deploy such technology at scale.

    This move is part of ValueJet’s wider digital transformation roadmap, following the internal success of TOPS (Trusted Operations Policy Support), its AI assistant for staff. Now, with VIKI, ValueJet takes its AI leadership public, delivering smart, multilingual, and on-demand travel support to every passenger.

    VIKI, according to a statement by the carrier, is a multilingual, text- and voice-enabled AI assistant that responds verbally to voice commands, offering enhanced accessibility for visually impaired users.

    Through popular messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram, the statement added that passengers can book and manage flights, modify reservations, check in online, receive real-time travel updates, and access support services, completing essential travel tasks in minutes without visiting the airport or navigating traditional websites.

    “At ValueJet, innovation must lead to real impact,” said Capt. Omololu Majekodunmi, Managing Director of ValueJet.

    “VIKI is more than a digital tool, she’s a symbol of our ambition to build smarter, safer, and more seamless experiences for travellers across Africa. This is just the beginning.”

    ValueJet is the first airline in Africa to deploy an AI concierge of this scale, addressing key challenges in the Nigerian aviation market, particularly speed, convenience, and accessibility.

     The launch forms part of the airline’s broader digital transformation strategy aimed at delivering seamless and customer-centric travel experiences.

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    Mr. Temitope Ajijola, Head of Business Program and IT, added, “From day one, our goal at ValueJet has been to make flight booking as seamless and intuitive as possible. With VIKI, we’ve taken that vision to a new level. This is a major leap in our digital transformation, enabling faster, smarter service while opening new opportunities for customer engagement across digital platforms. We’re proud to be leading this innovation in African aviation.”

    “Interacting with VIKI feels like chatting with a trusted friend,” Ajijola added. “You simply type something like, ‘Viki, I need a direct flight to Abuja tomorrow,’ and she’ll guide you through options, let you choose your seat, pay, and send your boarding pass, all in minutes.”

    Beyond bookings, VIKI enables passengers to check in seamlessly and receive digital boarding passes, modify existing reservations with ease, and obtain instant answers to questions on baggage allowances, fare rules, and other travel-related inquiries, delivering a true self-service experience with no hold times, no phone calls, and no need for customer service agents.

    “This launch marks a significant leap in how we connect with our passengers, delivering greater speed, flexibility, and control over their journey,” said Trevor Henry, Chief Commercial Officer of ValueJet.

  • ValueJet Airlines unveils AI platform to access flight services

    ValueJet Airlines unveils AI platform to access flight services

    ValueJet Airlines has officially unveiled VIKI, an artificial intelligence–powered digital concierge designed to enhance passenger access to flight services, making it the first airline in Africa to deploy the technology at scale.

    The launch forms part of ValueJet’s broader digital transformation strategy, building on the internal success of TOPS (Trusted Operations Policy Support), the airline’s AI assistant for staff. With VIKI, the carrier has extended its AI capabilities to the public, offering passengers smart, multilingual, and on-demand travel support.

    According to a statement by the airline, VIKI is a multilingual, text- and voice-enabled AI assistant that also responds verbally to voice commands, improving accessibility for visually impaired users.

    The statement added that through popular messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram, passengers can book and manage flights, modify reservations, check in online, receive real-time travel updates and access customer support services, allowing them to complete key travel tasks within minutes without visiting the airport or navigating conventional websites.

    “At ValueJet, innovation must lead to real impact,” said Capt. Omololu Majekodunmi, Managing Director of ValueJet.

    “VIKI is more than a digital tool, she’s a symbol of our ambition to build smarter, safer, and more seamless experiences for travellers across Africa. This is just the beginning.”

    Read Also: ValueJet expands regional network

    ValueJet is the first airline in Africa to deploy an AI concierge of this scale, addressing key challenges in the Nigerian aviation market, particularly speed, convenience, and accessibility.

     The launch forms part of the airline’s broader digital transformation strategy aimed at delivering seamless and customer-centric travel experiences.

    Mr. Temitope Ajijola, Head of Business Program and IT, added, “From day one, our goal at ValueJet has been to make flight booking as seamless and intuitive as possible. With VIKI, we’ve taken that vision to a new level. This is a major leap in our digital transformation, enabling faster, smarter service while opening new opportunities for customer engagement across digital platforms. We’re proud to be leading this innovation in African aviation.”

    “Interacting with VIKI feels like chatting with a trusted friend,” Ajijola added. “You simply type something like, ‘Viki, I need a direct flight to Abuja tomorrow,’ and she’ll guide you through options, let you choose your seat, pay, and send your boarding pass, all in minutes.”

    Beyond bookings, VIKI enables passengers to check in seamlessly and receive digital boarding passes, modify existing reservations with ease, and obtain instant answers to questions on baggage allowances, fare rules, and other travel-related inquiries, delivering a true self-service experience with no hold times, no phone calls, and no need for customer service agents.

    “This launch marks a significant leap in how we connect with our passengers, delivering greater speed, flexibility, and control over their journey,” said Trevor Henry, Chief Commercial Officer of ValueJet. 

  • Gateway Airport: ValueJet begins lifting passengers October 7

    Gateway Airport: ValueJet begins lifting passengers October 7

    Excitement is building as Value Jet Airlines prepares to begin scheduled flights at the Gateway International Airport (GWI), Ogun State, with services set to commence on Thursday, October 7.

    The airline will operate two flights weekly—on Tuesdays and Thursdays—linking GWI and Abuja.

    According to the schedule, flights will depart GWI at 8:30 a.m. and arrive in Abuja at 9:45 a.m., while return flights will leave Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 4:00 p.m. and land at GWI at 5:15 p.m.

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    In a statement, ValueJet confirmed that ticket sales will open on Thursday, September 25, and will be available online, through travel agents, and at GWI ticket desks.

    The development promises enhanced connectivity for travellers in Ogun, Ibadan, Lagos, and Abuja, while also positioning GWI as a strategic hub with modern facilities.

    Business leaders, contractors, bankers, government officials, and leisure travellers are among those expressing eagerness to take advantage of the new route, which also offers seamless connections to Lagos and other parts of Nigeria.

  • ValueJet expands regional network

    ValueJet expands regional network

    ValueJet Airlines has concluded plans to launch  flight operations into some routes from its hub in Lagos to Cotonou, Benin Republic, Accra, Ghana, and Malabo in Equatorial Guinea, less than three years after commencing scheduled flight operations.

    The airline kick-started its foray into regional operations with the launch of direct flights to Banjul, The Gambia, from Lagos on May 15, 2025, underlying its ambitious regional route expansion plans.

    The carrier’s foray into the Banjul route has opened up and liberalised the market, as the airline is doing remarkably well on the route. Since launching its direct Lagos–Banjul route on May 15, 2025, ValueJet has opened up West Africa’s hidden gem to everyday adventurers, wanderers, and business-savvy travellers alike. 

    Read Also: ValueJet, Cally Air to manage Bombardier CRJ jets

    The Managing Director of ValueJet, Capt Omololu Dapo Majekodunmi, disclosed that the new routes were further confirmation of the airline’s unyielding drive to connect the whole of West Africa and facilitate economic prosperity on the continent.

    He said, “Our goal is to make air connectivity on the West Coast and indeed Africa seamless, comfortable, affordable and a refreshing experience. We are ready to take up the challenge and kick off the second phase of our regional operations with the commencement of our Cotonou, Accra and Malabo services very soon”.

    “We are expanding our West African presence to strategically connect key cities in the sub-region, ease connectivity for Africans and strengthen commercial ties between countries.”

    “ValueJet is committed to easing the air transportation burden of Africans, and this will continue to drive our route expansion as well as fleet modernisation. We also recently received CRJ 1000 aircraft to further strengthen our domestic and regional operations,” he stated.

  • ValueJet, Cally Air to manage Bombardier CRJ jets

    ValueJet, Cally Air to manage Bombardier CRJ jets

    ValueJet Airlines and Cross River State – run carrier : Cally Air have entered into a sub – lease and operational services agreement.

    The will provide a window for ValueJet Airlines to manage and operate two Bombardier CRJ 1000 regional jets on behalf of the state – run carrier.

    Under the sub-lease, ValueJet will be responsible for the day-to-day operating functions for the two CRJ1000s.

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    It is understood that the leases are formally held by ValueJet, which will operate under ValueJet’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

    The move is intended to accelerate the utilisation of the newly acquired regional jets and to provide immediate passenger capacity.

    Managing Director of ValueJet, Capt. Omololu Oladapo Majekodunmi said, “We are pleased to partner with Cally Air and Cross River State to bring the two CRJ1000s into commercial service quickly and safely.

    This arrangement leverages ValueJet’s regional operations experience to expand reliable connectivity for travellers to and from locations within and outside Nigeria.”

    Cally Air is a state-owned airline, with the Cross River State Government as the sole owner. It initially operated in partnership with a domestic airline but has now gone into a sub-lease operational services deal with ValueJet, which provides operational support.

    Cally Air currently utilises a fleet of two Boeing 737-300 aircraft and two CRJ 1000 aircraft.

    The airline’s main routes include Calabar, Lagos, and Abuja. It is also exploring the possibility of expanding to other destinations within Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

    In July this year, the Cross River State took delivery of the first two leased CRJ1000ERs, marking the type’s return to active service on the African continent.

  • ValueJet, Cally Air seal deal to operate two CRJ1000 Jets for Cross River

    ValueJet, Cally Air seal deal to operate two CRJ1000 Jets for Cross River

    ValueJet Airlines has entered into a sublease and operational services agreement with Cross River State’s carrier, Cally Air, to manage and operate two Bombardier CRJ1000 regional jets on behalf of the state-owned airline.

    ValueJet’s Managing Director, Capt. Omololu Oladapo Majekodunmi said the arrangement places the day-to-day operation of the aircraft under ValueJet, which will fly them under its Air Operator Certificate (AOC).

    He explained that the partnership is designed to fast-track the commercial deployment of the newly acquired jets, providing immediate passenger capacity and boosting connectivity within and outside Nigeria.

    Read Also: KWAM 1 vs ValueJet

    “We are pleased to partner with Cally Air and Cross River State to bring the two CRJ1000s into commercial service quickly and safely.

    This arrangement leverages ValueJet’s regional operations experience to expand reliable connectivity for travellers,” Majekodunmi said.

    Cally Air, wholly owned by the Cross River State Government, currently operates two Boeing 737-300s and two CRJ1000s. Its core routes include Calabar, Lagos, and Abuja, with plans to expand to other Nigerian cities and neighbouring countries.

    The deal follows Cross River State’s acquisition of two leased CRJ1000ERs in July, marking the aircraft type’s return to active service on the African continent.

  • Patrick Doyle defends K1 amid clash with ValueJet officials

    Patrick Doyle defends K1 amid clash with ValueJet officials

    Veteran actor Patrick Doyle has come to the defence of Fuji music icon K1 following his recent altercation with officials of ValueJet.

    The controversy erupted after Kwam1 was reportedly barred from boarding a flight due to alcohol allegedly discovered in a flask he was carrying—a substance prohibited by the airline.

    Despite efforts to mediate, the singer allegedly insisted on taking the flask onboard, leading to a heated confrontation that nearly turned physical with the pilot.

    Reacting in a Facebook post, Doyle suggested that the airline staff deliberately provoked Kwam1, resulting in his outburst.

    He recalled a similar personal experience at Asaba airport, where a check-in attendant rudely denied him access to carry-on luggage over the weight limits. Though he was tempted to react, he chose restraint, acknowledging how easily service personnel can trigger celebrities.

    Doyle noted that such encounters often involve staff harbouring grudges or trying to bait well-known individuals into overreacting.

    He admitted to having lost his temper in the past but now prays for the discipline to avoid such provocations.

    In Kwam1’s case, Doyle believes the singer was baited—and unfortunately, the staff succeeded in provoking him.

    He wrote, ‘’For the most part, celebrities and famous people get preferential treatment in most public spaces. I made a trip to Accra a few days ago, and from the immigration officers at passport control to the supermarket, check out cashier, I was given VIP courtesy. However, there have been a few times when I am confronted by a service personnel with a chip on his or her shoulder, who perhaps has been nursing a grudge against me, and finally I am within reach of cumuppance. Most times, I may never have ever set eyes on the person, but he or she, for whatever reason, has it in for me. Maybe for how I acted in a movie or the answer I gave in an interview.

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    “Next thing I know, this service personnel from Hell decides to give me a tough time. Like the lady at the airline check-in counter at the Asaba airport, who bluntly refused to let me carry my hand luggage onboard because it weighed half a kilogram over the accepted limit. I tried to jokingly cajole her, and rather than give in, she rudely barked at me to respect myself.

    “I knew she recognised me because her colleague had come to take a selfie with me while I was in the queue. I took her rebuke seriously and comported myself before she escalated the issue and caused a scene.

    “Of course, I knew she was baiting me and hoping to upset me enough for me to activate the “insulted big man” mode. Then there would be a shouting match, and I would be in breach of airport protocol, and she would have bragging rights that she humiliated that “useless” Patrick Doyle.

    “Kwam 1 was baited by the airline staff, and sadly, they succeeded in riling him. I can’t say I blame him because I have been known to go ballistic during such episodes myself. These days, I just pray that God should keep such irritants far away from me, and whenever I encounter such “blessed” people, I pray for self-control and the grace not to fall into their diabolical traps.”

  • ValueJet commences probe over safety breach by pilots at Abuja airport

    ValueJet commences probe over safety breach by pilots at Abuja airport

    The management of ValueJet said it has commenced an investigation following a safety breach by its crew at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday.

    The airline also stated that the crew involved in the incident has been removed from active duty pending a thorough internal review and investigation.

    According to the airline, the investigation that has commenced would help it to understand the root cause of the incident and prevent any recurrence.

    The statement by the airline reads: “ValueJet is aware of the incident that occurred on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, involving one of our aircraft departing from the designated bay.

    “We acknowledge the seriousness of this incident and are fully cooperating with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in their ongoing investigation.

    “The crew involved was removed immediately from active duty, pending the outcome of a thorough internal review and investigation that has commenced to understand the root cause and prevent any recurrence.

    “At ValueJet, safety is not negotiable. We operate under strict adherence to regulatory procedures and international safety standards, and we remain committed to accountability and improvement across all levels of our operations.”

    “We appreciate the NCAA’s swift response and will continue to work closely with the Authority to uphold the integrity of the Nigerian aviation sector”.

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), on Tuesday, suspended the licences of two ValueJet pilots, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba, with immediate effect.

    Read Also: NCAA suspends licences of two ValueJet pilots over safety breach

    The NCAA explained that pilots’ licenses were suspended over a safety breach at the domestic terminal of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    The NCAA, in a statement by the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, said the pilot’s action endangered the safety of ground personnel and other airport users, contravening established civil aviation regulations and international safety standards.

    The Authority explained that preliminary information indicates that the pilot commenced departure procedures from the designated bay without adhering to the mandatory pre-departure clearance protocols.

    The NCAA, while stating that the suspension will remain in place pending the conclusion of a full investigation into the incident, reassured all stakeholders of its commitment to safety. 

  • NCAA suspends licences of two ValueJet pilots over safety breach

    NCAA suspends licences of two ValueJet pilots over safety breach

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the licences of two ValueJet pilots, Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba, with immediate effect. 

    The NCAA explained that the pilots licences were suspended over safety breach at the domestic terminal of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    The Authority stated that the suspension followed reports concerning a serious breach of aviation safety protocols by the pilots.

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    The NCAA in a statement by the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu said the pilot’s action endangered the safety of ground personnel and other airport users, contravening established civil aviation regulations and international safety standards.

    The Authority explained that preiminary information indicates that the pilot commenced departure procedures from the designated bay without adhering to the mandatory pre-departure clearance protocols. 

    NCAA while stating that the suspension will remain in place pending the conclusion of a full investigation into the incident, reassured all stakeholders of its commitment to safety. 

  • Our African travel connectivity plans, by ValueJet Airlines

    Our African travel connectivity plans, by ValueJet Airlines

    Managing Director, Value Jets Airlines, Captain Omolulu Majekodunmi has highlighted plans by the indigenous carrier to close existing gaps in intra- African travel connectivity.

    He said the carrier’s foray into regional flight operations connecting Nigeria and  Banju in The Gambia, has offered travel options for passengers seeking business and trade opportunities.

    Speaking on the performance of its Lagos/ Banjul flight unveiled in May, he said the operation has been more than a destination as it has offered a robust window for passengers to pursue opportunities for trade and cultural exchange.

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    He said : “ It has been more than a leisure destination. It is a milestone in regional connectivity.

     “The Lagos to Banjul flight is an important milestone in ValueJet’s vision to promote travel options and connectivity within West Africa. We are proud to play a part in bridging distances and fostering closer economic ties between the people and businesses of Nigeria, The Gambia, and beyond opening new opportunities for trade and tourism.”

    He said ValueJet is the only airline offering direct flights from Lagos to Banjul. Flights operate twice weekly, departing Lagos from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport’s new terminal.

    “Since launching its direct Lagos–Banjul route on May 15, 2025, ValueJet has opened up West Africa’s hidden gem to everyday adventurers, wanderers, and business-savvy travellers alike.”