In line with its mission of designing and deploying innovative technologies that improve the quality of lives, Nigeria’s ICT conglomerate Chams Plc in partnership with Five Star Travel Agency has launched its travel portal specifically built to tackle the problems associated with Air ticketing.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed at ChamsCity Ikeja between Chams and Five Star Travel agency at a colourful ceremony. Speaking at the launch on Monday in Lagos, Managing Director of Chams, Mr Demola Aladekomo said Chams Access, a subsidiary of Chams Plc started the process of creating a platform for online ticketing since 2006, owing to the enormous importance in the aviation industry and the entire economy of the nation. “Air travelers can now heave a sigh of relief as the strategic intent of the portal is to avail potential users a user friendly platform via which access could be gained to details on flight schedules of over 400 airlines, compare prices and also offer highly cost effective air fares. This had been made possible owing to the partnership relationship which the company shared with Five Star Travels Limited that had opened up potential users to a  wide variety of airlines via its SABRE GDS (Global Distribution Systems) .

He explained that the portal allows for multi card payment options of all payment cards in circulation. Pleased with the MOU, Chairman Five Star Travel Agency Gen. Henry Olufemi Adefope rtd said the idea was to make travel a lot easier for Nigerians, especially during rush hours. "believe God that this project has come to stay to ease travelers of the problems of rushing to book air tickets from aviation airlines", he said. Managing Director of the travel Agency, Mrs. Folake Adefope-Nedd said it took a lot of effort and hard work between Chams and Five Star Travel Agency to bring what she described as an online platform that will change the way of life of Nigerians.

Business Development Manager, Naira.com, Mr. Emrys Ijaola explained that the idea of the portal stemmed from the observation of seemingly endless queues at the airport for the purchase of tickets and needless to mention the fluctuations associated with prices especially at a time when a traveler is in dire need to leave town which often lead to the passenger missing his/her flight. He further explained that the portal was developed to address issues of convenience, variety, security and accessibility at any time.

The travel portal can be accessed by logging on to www.travel.naira.com where the user could explore all options available. Upon completion and authorization of a flight booking, an e-ticket with a reference number is sent to the subscribers email within 24 hours which should be printed out and used to “check in” at the airport.

The portal affords users access to flight schedules of a variety of airlines, search for, and book flights to any destination of choice, he said.