Aviation stakeholders will on Thursday converge in Lagos to dialogue on government revenue policies and their impact on the growth and competitiveness of the industry at the 30th Annual Conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC).
The conference, themed “Towards a Sustainable Aviation Industry: Balancing Government Revenue Demands with Sector Growth”, is expected to bring together policymakers, regulators, airline operators, airport managers, investors, financial institutions, aviation professionals, labour unions and other key industry players.
The conference comes at a critical time for the aviation sector, with airlines and other operators facing rising operating costs, multiple charges, high aviation fuel prices, limited access to foreign exchange and the increasing cost of aircraft acquisition and maintenance.
The conference committee said the theme was informed by the need to strike a balance between government’s revenue objectives and the sustainability of businesses operating in the aviation industry.
According to the committee, while government has a legitimate responsibility to generate revenue from the sector, revenue policies must also create room for investment, business expansion, affordable air travel and long-term industry growth.
“At a time when the Nigerian aviation sector is undergoing significant reforms and infrastructure development, stakeholders believe that achieving a sustainable industry requires a careful balance between revenue generation by government and the creation of an enabling environment for investment, business growth and consumer affordability”, the committee said.
The forum is expected to examine how government can maximise revenue from aviation without imposing excessive financial burdens on operators that could discourage investment, weaken airline operations, increase airfares and ultimately affect passenger connectivity.
Stakeholders will also explore ways of expanding aviation’s economic contribution and broadening the sector’s revenue base through increased passenger traffic, cargo development, tourism, airport commercialisation, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), aircraft leasing and other emerging segments of the aviation value chain.
Other issues expected to dominate discussions include airport infrastructure, regulatory effectiveness, aviation fuel, access to foreign exchange, aircraft acquisition and maintenance, as well as the impact of multiple charges on airlines and other aviation businesses.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), government officials, regulators, airline operators and other industry stakeholders are expected to attend the conference.
Chairman of LAAC, Suleiman Idris, said the 30th anniversary conference represented a major milestone for the association and an opportunity for the aviation media to facilitate constructive dialogue on issues critical to the future of the industry.
Idris said the media had a responsibility not only to report developments in the sector but also to provide platforms for policymakers and industry stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions aimed at addressing persistent challenges.
He said: “The aviation industry cannot grow sustainably if the operators are overburdened, just as government cannot abandon its legitimate responsibility to generate revenue. What is required is a balanced and sustainable framework that allows government to earn revenue while giving aviation businesses sufficient room to grow, invest and remain competitive”.
Chairman of the Conference Committee, Wole Shadare, said the conference would go beyond identifying the challenges facing the sector to developing practical recommendations capable of supporting policy formulation and implementation.
Shadare said the 30th edition would also provide an opportunity to reflect on developments in the aviation industry over the past three decades and the role of aviation correspondents in promoting accountability, transparency and informed public discourse.
He said the anniversary conference would provide stakeholders with an opportunity to assess past policies, examine ongoing reforms and identify practical measures required to build a stronger and more sustainable aviation industry.
LAAC said it remained committed to using its annual conference to bring together policymakers, regulators, operators and other stakeholders to deliberate on critical issues affecting the sector and proffer solutions in the national interest.
The association expressed optimism that the 30th Annual Conference would produce robust recommendations to guide policy formulation and implementation while supporting the emergence of a more competitive, financially sustainable and resilient aviation industry.