ValueJet Airline says it has taken a bold step in redefining air travel in Nigeria with the launch of VIKI, an artificial intelligence-powered digital concierge designed to simplify and enhance the passenger experience.
This was contained in a statement made available to The PUNCH on Tuesday by the airline.
With the launch of VIKI, ValueJet announced that it has become the first airline in Africa to introduce an AI concierge of this magnitude, cementing its status as one of the continent’s most innovative carriers.
According to the airline, the tool allows passengers to book, manage, and personalise their travel experience seamlessly, all from their mobile devices.
The statement reads in part, “VIKI is a multilingual, text- and voice-enabled assistant capable of responding verbally to voice commands, a feature that significantly improves accessibility for visually impaired travellers.
“Available via popular messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram, the AI assistant enables passengers to book flights, modify reservations, check in online, receive real-time travel updates, and access customer support without visiting the airport or navigating complex websites.”
Passengers can begin using the service simply by saving 09160012700 on their phones and starting a chat.
Commenting on the development, the airline’s Managing Director, Omololu Majekodunmi, said, “At ValueJet, innovation must lead to real impact.
VIKI is more than a digital tool; she represents our ambition to build smarter, safer, and more seamless travel experiences across Africa. This is only the beginning of what we aim to achieve.”
He added that the introduction of VIKI addresses some of the most persistent challenges in Nigeria’s aviation sector, particularly speed, convenience, and accessibility.
Majekodunmi further noted that the tool also forms a key part of ValueJet’s broader digital transformation strategy, which focuses on putting customers at the centre of every service touchpoint.
Also speaking, the Head of Business Programme and IT of the airline, Temitope Ajijola, stressed that the airline has always prioritised simplicity and ease of use.
“From day one, our goal has been to make flight booking as intuitive as possible. With VIKI, we have taken that vision to a new level. This is a major leap in our digital transformation, enabling faster, smarter service and deeper customer engagement across digital platforms,” he said.
Ajijola explained that interacting with VIKI feels natural and conversational: “You can simply say, ‘Viki, I need a direct flight to Abuja tomorrow,’ and she will guide you through the available options, help you select a seat, complete payment, and send your boarding pass, all within minutes.”
Beyond booking flights, ValueJet said VIKI offers a full self-service experience: “Passengers can check in, receive digital boarding passes, adjust existing reservations, and get instant answers to questions about baggage allowances, fare rules, and other travel-related concerns, eliminating hold times and the need for phone calls or physical customer service desks.”
The Chief Commercial Officer of ValueJet, Trevor Henry, said, “This launch marks a significant leap in how we connect with our passengers. It delivers greater speed, flexibility, and control over every stage of the journey.”
