Aviation Ministry, Agencies express readiness for LAAC 26th annual conference
Preparations for the 26th annual conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) hit the top gear, as the ministry of aviation and agencies in the industry have expressed to participate at the event.
The 2022 edition of the conference is slated for July 28th in Lagos, bearing the theme: ‘Sunset Airports: Economic & Safety Implications.’
The agencies, in separate press statements to the league, assured that they would support LAAC fully and commended the league for contributing to the growth of the Nigerian aviation industry through its unbiased critique of the sector and its consistency in setting the agenda for the industry through its past conferences.
The agencies include the 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.
Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General, NCAA, said the agency was proud to associate with LAAC.
According to him, 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 Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is proud to associate with the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (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, Engr. Akin Olateru, the Commissioner, AIB-N, emphasized that LAAC had been in the vanguard of educating the industry players in the past years, while the 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, Prof. Mansur Matazu, Director-General, NiMET, said that the agency had always been committed to safety in aviation through infrastructural and human capital development, application of international best practices, and excellent service delivery.
Matazu pointed out that its sustained partnership with the league is reinforced for a successful outing as scheduled.
He 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, the Managing Director of FAAN, Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, in a statement, said the theme for the 2022 conference is apt.
Yadudu added that the annual LAAC conference become 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.
Mr. Chinedu Eze, the Chairman of the Conference Committee, LAAC, said that top aviation personalities would deliver insightful papers on a wide range of topical issues in aviation at the annual conference.
According to him, 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.
