The League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents, LAAC, will hold its 30th Annual Conference in Lagos on Thursday, September 10, 2026, with industry stakeholders expected to examine how Nigeria can balance government revenue expectations with the need for sustainable growth in the aviation sector.
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 players across the industry.
The event comes at a time when airlines and other aviation businesses are facing significant financial pressures, including multiple charges, high aviation fuel costs, foreign exchange constraints and the rising cost of aircraft acquisition and maintenance.
Organisers said the theme was chosen to address concerns that revenue-generation policies, if not carefully designed, could undermine the viability and competitiveness of operators.
Revenue Demands Versus Industry Survival
A central focus of the conference will be how government can maximise revenue from the aviation sector without imposing excessive financial burdens that could weaken airlines, discourage investment or push airfares beyond the reach of more passengers.
The conference committee said the challenge was particularly important as Nigeria’s aviation industry undergoes reforms and infrastructure development.
According to the committee, the long-term sustainability of the sector will depend on creating a framework that allows government to earn legitimate revenue while giving aviation businesses enough room to invest, expand and remain competitive.
Stakeholders are expected to examine the effects of multiple taxes, charges and fees across the industry and assess whether the current cost structure supports or constrains growth.
The debate is also expected to consider the impact of rising operational costs on ticket prices, route expansion and passenger connectivity.
Expanding Aviation’s Revenue Base
Beyond existing government charges, participants will discuss how Nigeria can expand the broader revenue base of its aviation industry.
Areas expected to receive attention include passenger growth, cargo development, tourism, airport commercialisation, aircraft leasing and the development of maintenance, repair and overhaul, MRO, capacity.
Industry stakeholders have repeatedly argued that Nigeria could capture more value from aviation if more aircraft maintenance, financing, leasing and related services were developed locally.
Building a stronger domestic aviation value chain could also reduce dependence on foreign service providers and help retain more sector spending within the economy.
The conference will therefore examine how Nigeria can move beyond a narrow dependence on direct charges and instead generate more revenue through a larger, more productive aviation industry.
Fuel, FX and Aircraft Costs in Focus
Aviation fuel is expected to feature prominently in the discussions.
Jet fuel remains one of the largest operating expenses for airlines, making price volatility a major concern for domestic carriers.
Foreign exchange access is another key issue because many critical aviation expenses, including aircraft leasing, insurance, spare parts, maintenance and technical services, are denominated in foreign currencies.
The rising cost of aircraft acquisition and maintenance has also created additional pressure for operators seeking to renew fleets or expand capacity.
Stakeholders are expected to examine what policy interventions could improve access to finance, reduce operational uncertainty and support more sustainable airline growth.
Airport infrastructure and regulatory effectiveness will also form part of the discussions.
Keyamo, Regulators, Operators Expected
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, is expected to attend the conference alongside government officials, regulators, airline executives and other industry stakeholders.
LAAC Chairman, Suleiman Idris, described the 30th anniversary conference as a major milestone for the association and an opportunity for aviation journalists to facilitate constructive engagement on issues affecting the industry’s future.
He said the role of the media should extend beyond reporting developments to providing platforms where policymakers and industry operators can openly discuss persistent challenges and possible solutions.
“The aviation industry cannot grow sustainably if the operators are overburdened, just as government cannot abandon its legitimate responsibility to generate revenue,” Idris said.
“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.”
Conference to Push for Practical Solutions
Chairman of the Conference Committee, Wole Shadare, said the event would go beyond identifying problems to developing practical recommendations that could support policy formulation and implementation.
According to him, the 30th edition will also provide an opportunity to review the evolution of Nigeria’s aviation sector over the past three decades and assess the contribution of aviation correspondents to transparency, accountability and informed public debate.
LAAC said its annual conference would continue to serve as a meeting point for policymakers, regulators, operators and other stakeholders seeking solutions to challenges affecting the sector.
The association expressed optimism that discussions at the 2026 conference would produce recommendations capable of supporting a more competitive, financially sustainable and resilient Nigerian aviation industry.
