Stakeholders in the aviation sector will be discussing
issues around sunset airports and economic & safety implications at the
26th edition of the annual conference of the League of Airport and Aviation
Correspondents (LAAC) slated for Thursday, July 28, 2022 at the Sheraton Hotel
and Towers in Lagos.
No fewer than 250 travel and aviation stakeholders in
Nigeria and the diaspora would participate at the 26th edition of the annual
conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) slated
for Thursday, July 28, 2022 at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Lagos.
The speakers, drawn from airlines, government agencies,
travel agents, air travel passengers and others would discuss in-depth the
economic and safety implications surrounding sunset airports in Nigeria.
The theme of the 2022 LAAC Annual Conference is: ‘Sunset
Airports: Economic & Safety Implications.’
Chinedu Eze, the chairman, conference committee, LAAC, in a
statement said that the theme was informed by the multiple challenges that
operation of sunset airports in Nigeria have faced over the years.
According to Eze, while the airlines continue to claim loss
of billions of naira annually due to the restriction, some stakeholders feel
there is no need for most Nigerian airports to operate virtual and instrument
flights.
He explained that the avenue would be the right place for
major players to discuss the burning issue objectively, while also proffering
solutions for the benefit of all.
He said: “Our past conferences have helped to shape the
industry for the better. While we agree that there are challenges in the
sector, it is also the league’s belief that the challenges are not insurmountable.
“For many, aircraft should remain in the air, but a
situation where most of the airports can only offer daylight operations and
aircraft stay on ground for most parts of the day, may not augur well, but,
again, where are the passengers? Even in the US, not all their airports operate
24 hours.”
Also speaking, Albinus Chiedu, the secretary, LAAC
Conference Committee, expressed optimism that like in the past, the conference
would usher in new development for the industry.
Chiedu explained further that like the past year, the
conference would be held physically and virtually, stressing that this would
enable participation of stakeholders from across the world.
The LAAC Annual Conference has over the years, made an
unquantifiable impact on the country’s aviation industry by throwing up policy,
management and operational issues for public discussion.