Keyamo Leads Delegation at ICAO’s Inaugural Advanced Air Mobility Symposium in Canada
The Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has led a Nigerian delegation to the first-ever Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) symposium organised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in Montréal, Canada.
Tunde Moshood, SA Media and Communications to the Minister, disclosed that the event, which has spanned the past three days, focuses on the global harmonisation and interoperability of advanced air mobility technologies under the theme “Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Global Harmonization and Interoperability: Challenges and Opportunities.”
AAM 2024 represents a pioneering initiative building on ICAO’s DRONE ENABLE programme and showcases cutting-edge concepts in Advanced Air Mobility, including electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, vertiports, automation, and the integration of these new technologies into airspace systems.
With a spotlight on both the challenges and opportunities posed by this rapidly emerging sector, the symposium serves as a platform for global aviation leaders to address the future of mobility.
Minister Keyamo highlighted the significance of the symposium, stating, “This symposium is timely and presents an important opportunity for Nigeria and other nations to learn from each other’s experiences as we navigate the challenges and embrace the opportunities presented by Advanced Air Mobility.
“As we explore these innovative technologies, Nigeria is committed to working closely with ICAO and other stakeholders to ensure safe, efficient, and environmentally sustainable integration into our national aviation system.”
Nigeria’s delegation includes Captain Chris Najomo, Acting Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and representatives from key aviation bodies such as the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Their presence underscores Nigeria’s growing engagement with cutting-edge aviation technologies and the country’s aspirations to integrate advanced air mobility solutions into its airspace.
The symposium has gathered a diverse range of participants, including ministers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, and Ghana, as well as high-ranking officials, industry leaders, and researchers from around the world.
Attendees have engaged in discussions, shared research, and exchanged best practices in order to foster the global development of AAM and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).
ICAO’s ongoing efforts in these areas have been a central topic, highlighting the need for international cooperation in addressing the challenges of this new frontier in aviation.
Beyond discussions, the symposium has provided a platform for exhibitors to showcase the latest technologies and research in the field of advanced air mobility.
These exhibits highlight the dynamic nature of the AAM sector and its potential to revolutionise the future of transportation.
