IATA confirms line up for Aviation Day Africa summit

*Experts to debate pressing aviation issues

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has confirmed the lineup for its 2016 Aviation Day Africa Summit, with theme, “Driving African Economies through the Power of Aviation, scheduled to hold in Abuja, Nigeria on May 23-24, 2016.

Senior IATA officials will be joined by the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Muhtar. S. Usman, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

The Deputy Regional Director of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO),, Mr. Gaoussou Konate, the Secretary General of the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), Ms. Iyabo Sosina, along with key regional stakeholders to address current issues affecting aviation in Africa including public-private partnerships, aviation and tourism convergence, funding, safety and security, the proliferation of taxes and charges, next generation airports and market connectivity.

This provides a platform for Africa’s key stakeholders to debate the industry’s most pressing issues and align actions to address the challenges.

IATA has repeatedly called on African governments and organisations to focus not only on national issues but also on the strategic development of pan-African aviation in order for the continent to reach its full economic potential.

Aviation in Africa carries over 70 million passengers a year, supports more than 6.9 million jobs on the continent and generates over $80 billion in GDP. Over the next five years the African economy is forecast to grow at a strong 4.7% per year, well above the global average rate.  For the continent to realize its full economic potential, aviation – particularly commercial air transport – must be prioritized.

Wole Shadare