Aviation experts and other stakeholders in the industry are set to converge on Lagos on Thursday, July 28, 2022 for the 26th edition of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) annual conference which will be held under the theme ‘Sunset airports: Economic & safety implications.
The event, according to the organisers, holds at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos and will be attended by no fewer than 250 travel and aviation stakeholders in Nigeria and the diaspora.
Chairman of the conference committee, Mr. Chinedu Eze said the speakers would be drawn from airlines, government agencies, travel agents, among others.
“They will discuss in depth the economic and safety implications surrounding sunset airports in Nigeria,” he said.
He added that the theme was informed by the multiple challenges that operation of sunset airports in Nigeria have faced over the years.
According to him, while the airlines continue to claim loss of billions of naira annually due to the restriction, some stakeholders feel there is no need for most Nigerian airports to operate virtual and instrument flights.
He added that the conference would be the right place for the major players to discuss the burning issue objectively, while also proffering solutions for the benefit of all.
“Our past conferences have helped to shape the industry for the better. While we agree that there are challenges in the sector, it is also the league’s belief that the challenges are not insurmountable.
“For many, aircraft should remain in the air, but a situation where most of the airports can only offer day light operations and aircraft stay on ground for most parts of the day, may not augur well, but, again, where are the passengers? Even in the US, not all their airports operate 24 hours,” he said.
Also speaking, secretary of the conference committee, Mr. Albinus Chiedu, expressed optimism that the conference would usher in new developments for the industry.
Like the 2021 edition, Chiedu said the conference would be held physically and virtually to enable the participation of stakeholders from across the world.
He disclosed that key panelists, speakers and other participants had already confirmed their participation at this year’s event and assured that communiqué reached at the conference would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities for action.
Recall that the 25th edition of the conference was held under the theme: ‘Nigeria aviation industry: Management, policy and regulation.’
