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BA Uncovers Fliers’ Quirky Habits

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New Ipsos MORI research commissioned by British Airways has revealed the range of emotions fliers go through when they travel and the quirks that make them feel comfortable.

The study found that travellers experience seven different emotions when they fly: enjoyment, conviviality, belonging, security, control, empowerment and vitality.

Most travellers feel the need to start in control, often exhibiting behaviours such as ticking off check-lists and fibbing to partners by telling them the flight leaves earlier than it really does in order to get to the airport in plenty of time.

Once there, people continue with the control phase and are super organised.

Documents are at hand (and regularly checked on), ready for each checkpoint.

Travellers are already clutching their 100ml liquids in a plastic bag at security before being asked to and the time they have to spend in duty free has been calculated with precision in advance.

They also take the time now to organise what items they will need to hand on the flight and what should be stored in the overhead lockers.

This need for ‘control’ now starts to intertwine with the ’empowerment’ need. Regular travellers will know which seat they want and will employ the shortcuts they know to get through the airport more quickly. And many people take the opportunity for a final toilet stop before boarding.

Once on board the ‘secure’ and ‘belonging’ feelings kick in with fliers appreciating the tannoy announcement from the pilots, and a smile from the crew. At this stage most will arrange the space around them to their specifications.

This is when the ‘enjoyment’ and ‘convivial’ behaviours come to the fore, and there is a distinct theme of suspending normal life for fliers with many of them admitting to breaking their own norms and indulging in calorific food, drinking alcohol first thing in the morning and watching three films in a row ‘because they can’.

Those travelling with others will use this time to eat together and many will watch the same films to share the experience.

The ‘vitality’ need – that desire to experience something new – rears itself at various points throughout the journey. It may manifest itself as planning activities, or being more open minded as to trying different foods.

Excitement is a big factor too. The pods that transfer Terminal 5 passengers from the car park to the airport bring out the child in the travellers that use them.

Equally, those flying with children pick up on their sense of excitement and for regular travellers something as simple as the start of a new month heralding a new selection in in-flight entertainment gives them a frisson.

Abigail Comber, British Airways’ head of brands and marketing said: “We all have our habits when we fly, be that constantly checking for our passport, turning up really early or watching back-to-back films on board, just because we can.

“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, so we want to ensure we recognise how they feel at every stage of their journey and tailor our service to fit. To make sure they feel in control, it could be something as simple as reminding them that we offer mobile boarding passes, so they don’t have to worry about losing their ticket. To make sure they feel at home it may be in the welcome our pilots and cabin crew give. And for their enjoyment, it’s making sure we provide great food and entertainment.

“It’s also about giving us an insight to help us develop the British Airways experience in the future and we’ve already got a number of ideas in the pipeline so watch this space….”

British Airways is investing more than £5bn in new aircraft, smarter cabins, elegant lounges, and new technologies to make life more comfortable in the air and on the ground.
 


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FG Deploy New Printers for Passports following Outcries from Nigerians in Diaspora

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Nigerians in the diaspora have petitioned Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, minster of Interior, over passport printing in Atlanta and New York Consulates in the United States of America.

FG Deploy New Printers for Passports following Outcries from Nigerians in Diaspora

To this effect, the minister has approved and directed the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to immediately deploy new printers to the passport offices in both cities.

These printers, according to him, are ready for installation. This short-term solution, he said, aims to resolve the current challenge promptly.

In a statement, the minister said that there is a new solution being implemented as a long-term plan that will usher in a streamlined passport regime, enabling Nigerians to apply for their passports with more ease.

Part of this plan includes the activation of a Passport Personalisation Centre in Abuja, which is scheduled to start in the next few weeks while also opening up more countries for the already-deployed contactless solution.

According to Tunji-Ojo, they are working round the clock, and none of the agencies is left behind.

“At the Nigeria Immigration Service, there has been an end-to-end automation of the passport application process and the introduction of the contactless application process, which has since been launched in Canada,” he said.

 


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CBN’s FX Code to Boost Transparency for Launch on January 28

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said it has approved the release of the Nigerian Foreign Exchange (FX) Code and will officially launch the same on January 28, 2025.

The FX code serves as a guideline to the banking industry to promote ethical conduct of authorised dealers in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).

“The Bank will formally launch the Code at the CBN Head Office Auditorium, Abuja, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025,” the CBN said in a notice published on its website.

In a bid to strengthen the governance and transparency of Nigeria’s FX market, the CBN in November 2024 introduced revised guidelines for the Nigeria Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).

A key feature of these guidelines requires the boards of banks, alongside their Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Chief Compliance Officers, to annually attest to the Nigeria FX Code of Ethics and Conduct. This attestation underscores their commitment to uphold market integrity and comply with all CBN-issued circulars and guidelines.

The revised guidelines aim to deepen the foreign exchange market following the consolidation of all official FX market windows. The circular, issued by Omolara Omotunde Duke, director of the CBN’s financial markets department, supersedes prior directives, including the operational changes announced on June 14, 2023, and earlier circulars dating back to 2017.

Under the new framework, authorised dealers must facilitate FX transactions for firms and individuals while ensuring compliance with regulations. These dealers are tasked with conducting due diligence, providing transparent pricing, and offering market access through digital solutions.

Furthermore, all legitimate FX transactions must occur exclusively through authorised dealers, while dealings with unlicensed intermediaries are strictly prohibited.

Bureaux de Change (BDC) operators are also included in the revised guidelines. Licensed BDCs are allowed to purchase FX from authorised dealers to meet customer needs, within the limits set by the CBN. Similarly, all FX transactions conducted by BDCs, International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs), and authorised dealers must adhere to the terms of their licenses and the Nigeria FX Code.


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Visa, Moniepoint Join Forces to Accelerate Financial Inclusion in Africa

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Moniepoint Inc, one of Nigeria’s leading business payments and banking services platforms, has secured an investment from Visa, a global leader in digital payments.

The investment marks an important milestone in Visa’s commitment to advancing financial inclusion and shaping the future of digital payments while fostering SME growth across Africa.

Founded in 2015 by Tosin Eniolorunda and Felix Ike, Moniepoint (formerly known as TeamApt) has established itself as a leading financial platform for Nigeria’s vast network of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), offering an integrated suite of services, including digital payments, bank accounts, credit, foreign exchange (FX), and management tools.

The platform processes over 1 billion transactions monthly, with total payments volume exceeding $22 billion, enabling businesses to digitize their operations and thrive in Africa’s rapidly evolving economy.

With this investment, Visa supports Moniepoint’s mission to empower African businesses, further accelerating its growth and expansion across the continent. Moniepoint’s profitable and scalable business model, alongside its strong operational and financial track record, has positioned it as a transformative force in the African fintech ecosystem.

As Africa’s Fintech landscape continues to evolve rapidly, driven by a dynamic ecosystem and a focus on bridging the financial inclusion gap, Visa has been at the forefront of this transformation, putting its expertise and resources to work in support of the growth of African Fintech startups.

Tosin Eniolorunda, Founder and Group CEO of Moniepoint Inc., said: “We are thrilled to announce Visa’s investment in Moniepoint. Visa’s backing is a strong endorsement of our vision to digitize and support African businesses at scale.

“Together, we aim to deepen financial inclusion, enabling SMEs to access the tools and resources they need to thrive in an increasingly digital economy. Given that about 83% of employment across Africa is in the informal economy, we are very keen to widen access and participation in the formal financial system and drive economic growth across Africa.”

He continued, “Visa’s expertise in global payments and Moniepoint’s proven ability to serve African businesses make this partnership an exciting opportunity in shaping the continent’s economic future even as we pave the way for a more inclusive and dynamic financial ecosystem.

“We are delighted in joining forces with Visa to enhance the digital payment infrastructure, expanding financial services, and fostering innovation in Africa.”

Andrew Torre, Regional President, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa at Visa, added: “Moniepoint has built an impressive platform that directly addresses the needs of Africa’s SMEs, a critical segment in enabling economic development.

“By making financial services and digital payments more accessible and efficient, Moniepoint is helping transform how businesses operate in Nigeria and beyond. We are excited to support their next phase of growth and innovation.”

“Visa’s investment in Moniepoint is the latest example of our long-standing commitment to advancing digital economies in Africa. We will enable even the smallest businesses to thrive through innovative payment and software solutions that allow SMEs to scale and open new revenue opportunities, while streamlining their operations.”

Moniepoint has experienced exponential growth since its founding in 2015, with revenues increasing by over 150% CAGR in recent years. The company’s efforts to expand access to financial services align closely with Visa’s mission of enabling individuals and businesses to thrive in the global economy.

Congratulating both parties, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) celebrates this strategic investment in Moniepoint, highlighting it as proof of Nigeria’s attractiveness for investors due to its favorable business climate.

Furthermore, the NIPC praised Moniepoint as an exemplar of Nigerian excellence contributing significant value to the global financial ecosystem. The Commission emphasized its commitment to supporting investors and fostering economic cooperation in finance and technology to help Nigeria reach its full economic potential.

This partnership combines Moniepoint’s local expertise and innovative business model with Visa’s global resources and capabilities. Together, Moniepoint and Visa aim to accelerate the digital transformation of African SMEs, driving financial inclusion and long-term economic prosperity.

Visa joins other notable investors including Development Partners International, Google’s Africa Investment Fund, Verod Capital, Lightrock, QED Investors, Novastar Ventures, British International Investment (BII), FMO (the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank), Global Ventures and Endeavor Catalyst in advancing Moniepoint’s mission to create a society where everyone experiences financial happiness.


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