All is set for the 30th Annual Conference of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC), scheduled to hold in Lagos on Thursday, September 10, 2026, with stakeholders set to tackle the critical issues of government revenue generation and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s aviation industry.

The conference, with the theme, “Towards a Sustainable Aviation Industry: Balancing Government Revenue Demands with Sector Growth,” is expected to bring together policymakers, regulators, airline operators, airport managers, investors, financial institutions, aviation professionals, labour unions and other stakeholders across the industry.

The landmark conference comes amid growing concerns over the financial pressures facing airlines and other aviation businesses, particularly the burden of multiple charges, high aviation fuel costs, access to foreign exchange and the rising cost of aircraft acquisition and maintenance.

The conference committee said the theme was informed by the need to ensure that government revenue policies do not inadvertently undermine the viability, competitiveness and growth of operators in the sector.

“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.

The forum is expected to examine how government can maximise revenue from aviation without imposing excessive financial burdens on operators, which could discourage investment, weaken airlines, increase airfares and ultimately affect passenger connectivity.

It will also examine the broader economic contribution of aviation and ways of expanding the sector’s revenue base through increased passenger traffic, cargo development, tourism, airport commercialisation, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), aircraft leasing and other emerging areas of the aviation value chain.

Other issues expected to dominate discussions include airport infrastructure, regulatory effectiveness, aviation fuel, access to foreign exchange, aircraft acquisition and maintenance, as well as the impact of multiple charges on airlines and other operators.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), government officials, regulators, airline operators and other industry stakeholders are expected at the conference.

Chairman of LAAC, Suleiman Idris, said the 30th anniversary conference represents a major milestone for the association and an opportunity for the aviation media to facilitate constructive dialogue on issues critical to the future of the industry.

Idris said the media has a responsibility not only to report developments in the sector but also to provide platforms for policymakers and industry stakeholders to engage in meaningful discussions aimed at addressing persistent challenges.

He said, “The aviation industry cannot grow sustainably if the operators are overburdened, just as government cannot abandon its legitimate responsibility to generate revenue. What is required is a balanced and sustainable framework that allows government to earn revenue while giving aviation businesses sufficient room to grow, invest and remain competitive.”

Also speaking, Chairman of the Conference Committee, Wole Shadare, said the conference would go beyond identifying the challenges facing the sector to developing practical recommendations capable of supporting policy formulation and implementation.

According to Shadare, the 30th edition will also provide an opportunity to reflect on developments in Nigeria’s aviation industry over the past three decades and the role of aviation correspondents in promoting accountability, transparency and informed public discourse.

LAAC said it remained committed to using its annual conference to bring together policymakers, regulators, operators and other stakeholders to deliberate on critical issues affecting the industry and proffer solutions in the national interest.

The association expressed optimism that the 30th Annual Conference would produce robust recommendations to support the development of a more competitive, financially sustainable and resilient Nigerian aviation industry.