1time Leads the Way
1time’s recent technological advancements are some of the first in Africa, and look set to make the airline one of the most user-friendly on the continent.
Just the simple fact that people now use social media sites (as opposed to emails) to stay in touch, shows just how much technology has changed in recent years. It also means that everyone who wants to keep up needs to ensure that they are not only navigating, but virtually cruising the technological highway.
1time airline is firmly committed to riding the crest of the technological wave, thanks in large part to our IT team, which keeps us up to date with current trends and researches how these products and services can best be integrated into our operations.
An Apple a Day
As such we will shortly be introducing the iPad2 into our flight decks as an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB).
An EFB is an electronic information management device which supports hundreds of general aviation applications that simplify pre-flight planning and assist with in-flight operations. EFB devices can display a variety of aviation data or perform basic calculations, such as performance data, and fuel calculations. The iPad2 has also been cleared by the American Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) as a device that does not interfere with airplane electronics.
In terms of weight, we are going to be replacing the current hefty 22.6 kg pilot flight bags with the slimmer 601 g iPad2. In doing so, 1time will become the first airline in Africa and only the third carrier in the world (after Alaska Airlines and American Airlines) to introduce Apple’s innovative iPad2 as an all-in-one EFB.
Through this paperless application, our pilots will have electronic fingertip access to a variety of vital resources normally included in a pilot’s carry-on flight bag. These include exchange/mail capacity, rostering, the latest weather updates, passenger information and loads, system and performance manuals, as well as electronic weight and balance.
1time’s CEO Rodney James notes that the use of the iPad2 as an EFB will greatly improve the pilots’ efficiency. “The EFB application for the iPad2 is truly unique, and will help our flight crews perform flight management tasks more easily, swiftly, and efficiently. It also results in the creation of a paperless environment.”
Debit, not Credit
Not content with merely improving our flight deck through EFBs, we have also introduced new technology into our passengers’ homes with the launch of MTN Mobile Money’s payD. Now 1time customers can pay for their tickets online using their debit cards. This is another first among airlines in Africa.
payD, which uses the new Authenticated Mobile Transaction (AMT) payment method, is the most efficient and secure way to pay and be paid online, and offers a viable alternative to existing online credit card payment systems. It thus offers 1time customers a safe, convenient and instant way to make payment on our website without using credit.
payD combines the trusted chip and PIN technology (which has made credit card transactions more secure) with the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card technology of cell phones.
“Instead of entering your PIN number into a keypad at a checkout or till point counter to authorize the transaction on the website, 1time passengers enter their PIN into their own cell phone in a secure ‘SIM and PIN’ or AMT transaction,” explains James. “payD then uses the customer’s SIM card and cell phone for the transaction. This is similar to the secure keypad element of a manual debit card transaction.”
Currently, Standard Bank and Nedbank PIN-based debit card holders on the MTN and Vodacom networks can make use of the system, but hopefully more bank and cellular providers will come on board soon.
James concludes that ensuring innovation, reliability and ease of use for 1time’s customers is a priority for the airline. “We realise the necessity to remain ahead of our competitors as well as the technological wave. For us this means not only improving our service offerings to our passengers, but also introducing key advancements that make it even easier and more convenient to fly with 1time.”
Story & Pic © 1time
