LAAC 30th Conference to Tackle Aviation Revenue, Sector Growth
The League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) will on Thursday, September 10, 2026, hold its 30th Annual Conference in Lagos, with government revenue generation and sustainable growth expected to dominate discussions.
The conference, themed “Towards a Sustainable Aviation Industry: Balancing Government Revenue Demands with Sector Growth,” will bring together policymakers, regulators, airline operators, airport managers, investors, financial institutions, aviation professionals, labour unions and other key stakeholders.
The gathering comes at a time when operators in Nigeria’s aviation sector are facing increasing financial pressures arising from multiple charges, high aviation fuel costs, limited access to foreign exchange and the rising cost of aircraft acquisition and maintenance.
According to the conference committee, the theme reflects growing concerns that government revenue policies, if not carefully designed, could place additional burdens on aviation businesses and undermine their viability and competitiveness.
The committee said there was a need to strike a balance between the government’s legitimate revenue requirements and the need to create an environment capable of attracting investment, supporting business expansion and keeping air travel affordable for passengers.
“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.
A major focus of the conference will be how the government can increase revenue from the aviation industry without imposing excessive financial obligations on airlines and other operators.
Stakeholders are expected to examine the consequences of high operating costs, including their potential impact on airline viability, investment, airfares and passenger connectivity.
The conference will also explore alternative ways of expanding the aviation sector’s contribution to government revenue and the wider economy.
Areas expected to receive attention include increased passenger traffic, air cargo development, tourism, airport commercialisation, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), aircraft leasing and other emerging opportunities across the aviation value chain.
The forum will further deliberate on airport infrastructure, regulatory effectiveness, aviation fuel supply and pricing, foreign exchange access, aircraft acquisition and maintenance, as well as the impact of multiple charges imposed on airlines and other aviation businesses.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), alongside government officials, regulators, airline operators and other industry stakeholders, is expected to participate in the conference.
Chairman of LAAC, Suleiman Idris, described the 30th edition as a significant milestone for the association and an opportunity for the aviation media to facilitate constructive engagement on challenges threatening the sustainable development of the sector.
Idris said aviation journalists had a responsibility beyond reporting events and developments, stressing that the media could provide a platform for policymakers and industry operators to engage on issues affecting the industry.
He said the sector could not achieve sustainable growth if operators were excessively burdened, while acknowledging the government’s responsibility to generate revenue.
“The aviation industry cannot grow sustainably if the operators are overburdened, just as the government cannot abandon its legitimate responsibility to generate revenue. What is required is a balanced and sustainable framework that allows the government to earn revenue while giving aviation businesses sufficient room to grow, invest and remain competitive.”
The conference is also expected to provide an opportunity to examine the evolution of Nigeria’s aviation industry over the past 30 years, including the major policy, regulatory, infrastructural and operational developments that have shaped the sector.
Chairman of the Conference Committee, Wole Shadare, said the event would seek to move beyond identifying the persistent challenges facing the industry by developing practical recommendations that could assist policymakers.
Shadare said the 30th edition would equally provide an opportunity to reflect on the contribution of aviation correspondents to the development of the sector through reporting, advocacy for accountability and the promotion of informed public debate.
He said the conference would bring together stakeholders with different perspectives to examine the challenges confronting the industry and identify workable solutions.
LAAC said its annual conference remained an important platform for bringing policymakers, regulators, operators, investors and other stakeholders together to discuss critical issues affecting Nigerian aviation.
The association expressed optimism that the 30th anniversary edition would produce recommendations capable of supporting the development of a more competitive, financially sustainable and resilient aviation industry.
The conference is coming against the backdrop of continued efforts by the Federal Government and aviation industry stakeholders to reform the sector, improve infrastructure and strengthen Nigeria’s position within the global aviation market.
