By Itohan Abara-Laserian
Aviation professionals are billed to convene in Lagos to chart a way forward for the industry’s survival in the face of economic challenges.
The professionals are expected to gather on July 26, 2024 for the 28th edition of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) Annual Conference.
Chairman of the LAAC Conference Planning Committee, Mr Chinedu Eze, who disclosed in a statement on Saturday in Lagos, said the conference was originally slated for July 25 but was reviewed to July 26.
He said that the theme of this year’s conference: “Aviation Sustainability Amidst a Challenging Macro-economic Environment” was informed by the state of the country’s economy which has amplified the already existing constraints to growth and development of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
Eze noted that the industry constraints included poor access to forex, weakening currency, high fuel costs, maintenance costs, regulatory constraints, manpower demands, technology upgrade, passenger comfort, among other issues requiring urgent attention.
He said that the conference would present opportunities for organisations to highlight their activities as it is expected to attract over 200 aviation industry professionals cutting across the aviation agencies, security agencies, international and domestic airlines operating in Nigeria, aviation support services, including travel service providers and tour operators.
He noted that the conference has over the years, made an unquantifiable impact on Nigeria’s aviation sector by throwing up policy, management and operational issues for public discuss.
This, he said, has resulted in tremendous significant changes in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
“This year’s conference, scheduled to hold on July 26 at Providence Hotel, Ikeja, is significant because it will focus on the industry’s survival and sustenance which constitutes a major subject of discussion at this time,” said Eze.
The conference would be both physically and virtually attended to enable participation of stakeholders globally.