Ahead of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) proposed to hold on July 28, 2022 in Lagos, agencies in the industry has commended the association for contributing to the growth of the Nigerian aviation industry through its unbiased critique of the sector and consistency in setting agenda through its past conferences.
In view of this, the Ministry of Aviation and the agencies have indicated their interest and support for the upcoming 2022 edition of the conference with the theme: ‘Sunset Airports: Economic & Safety Implications.’
The agencies are Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Accident Investigation Bureau – Nigeria (AIB-N) and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria.
The Director General, NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, said the agency was proud to associate with LAAC, affirming that the relationship between the two had been symbiotic over the years, while the past conferences had been part of the developmental information needed for the growth of the industry, especially in Nigeria.
He said: “The NCAA is proud to associate with LAAC and partner for the successful hosting of this year’s edition.
“The relationship has been worthwhile and the conference in itself has also been a veritable source of developmental information needed for the growth of the industry. This is why stakeholders in the sector are always looking forward to every passing edition.”
Besides, the Commissioner AIB-N, Engr. Akin Olateru, emphasised that LAAC had been in the vanguard of educating the industry players in the past years, while safety and security of the sector had also improved through the forum.
He said: “We have noted over the years how LAAC has been at the vanguard of industry education, which is a vital platform for development and innovation.
“Safety has been advanced through the forum established by the LAAC Conference. It is our pleasure at AIB to be part of this important yearly event.”
Also, Director-General, NiMET, Prof. Mansur Matazu, said that the agency had always been committed to safety in aviation through infrastructural and human capital development, application of international best practice and excellent service delivery.
He pointed out that its sustained partnership with the league is reinforced for a successful outing as scheduled.
Matazu added: “Our hope is that this partnership will engender solutions to the challenges that confront air travel in the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. We look forward to fruitful deliberations for a stronger industry.”
Besides, FAAN in a statement by its Managing Director, Capt. Rsbiu Yadudu, said the theme for the theme 2022 conference was harp.
Yadudu added that the annual LAAC conference became a great platform where innovative and progressive ideas are birthed.
He added: ”We are particularly elated and looking forward to this year’s edition, as the theme, ‘Sunset Airports: Economic and Safety Implications’ is an area that directly affects our operations. FAAN will continue to participate and support this laudable initiative.”
The year’s event is expected to be attended by over 250 aviation industry professionals; physically and virtually, cutting across the aviation agencies, security agencies, international and domestic airlines operating in Nigeria, aviation support services, travel trade sellers and buyers and captains of the aviation industry in Nigeria.
The Chairman, Conference Committee, LAAC, Mr. Chinedu Eze, said that top aviation personalities would deliver insightful papers on a wide range of topical issues in aviation at the annual conference.
He announced that the outstanding stakeholders made up of individuals and a corporate organisation who had distinguished themselves in the industry over the years would be honoured with various industry awards at the event.