Akwaaba Travel Market 2017: Foremost aviation expert, Gbenga Olowo joins speakers

Ahead of this year’s Akwaaba Africa Travel Market holding later this year in Lagos, the President /CEO, Sabre Network NMC, West Africa, Mr Gbenga Olowo has confirmed his participation as a speaker at the event billed to open on September 10, 2017, at the Eko Hotel & Suite, Victoria island, Lagos.

An Economist and business administrator with uninterrupted cognate experience in aviation sector, Olowo who is also the president of Aviation Round Table (ART), will be speaking on the topic: “2016: Commercial Aviation Accident Free Year. What Did Africa Do Right”, a topic that is germane to the African aviation sector.

According to IATA, last year, some 3.8 billion travelers flew safely on 40.4 million flights. The number of total accidents, fatal accidents and fatalities all declined versus the five-year average, showing that aviation continues to become safer. The good news is that in 2016, Africa had no air crash, against the backdrop of decades of problematic safety level in Africa.

Olowo’s who is erudite professional in the sector, will be bringing his versatility in the global aviation industry to bear on the topic at the 2017 Aviation Day. His deep and wide aviation industry experience has made him an acknowledged expert in airlines and aviation business management. He has provided varied consultancy services in these areas and is an author of many aviation industry related publications. He’s currently the President Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative.

He has attended several professional training courses and served on several expert groups, committees, and panels including the Ministerial Committee on Restructuring of Nigeria Airways Limited in September 2001, Ministerial Technical Committee on the Establishment of a new Flag Carrier in August 2003, Chairman of the Agency Investigation Panel (A.I.P) for Western Africa, and Member of Ecowas Parliament Committee on Implementation of Yammousoukro Treaty.

The event aim to stimulate valuable discuss from renowned industry players that will add impetus to the sector and improve and sustain the safety level in the industry. This year’s Aviation Day event is expected to have aviation professionals from global aviation organisations such as the International Air Transport Association, IATA, African Civil Aviation Commission, AFCAC, African Airlines Association, AFRAA and Chief Executives of airlines in the continent.

Last year’s edition of the travel and tourism conference with the theme ‘The State of Aviation in Africa Why do Airlines Fail,’ which was well attended by travel experts, examined the challenges bedeviling African carriers with a view to proffer solutions to the problem inhibiting the growth of airlines in the continent.

This year, the event aims at transferring knowledge covering travel, hospitality and aviation sectors from globally rated experts. Apart from the exhibition, which offers participants the opportunity to expose their product to the travelling public and travel trends in a face to face format, the 13th Akwaaba African Travel Market will impart knowledge to its various participants through seminar, networking, exposure and provision of new Skills.

Meanwhile, CEOs of successful African airlines have been invited to share their experience in running a successful Airline in Africa. Other speakers and Panelists include representatives from IATA and AFCAC. Leading Aviators from exhibiting countries are expected from Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Togo, Dubai, Tanzania, Liberia, Rwanda, South Africa, Seychelles, Namibia and Nigeria.