IATA to Open Office in Lagos

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Nigeria to facilitate the opening of the Association’s first office in the nation’s largest city, Lagos.

The Nigeria office is targeted to open by the end of 2007 and will assist IATA’s Africa Regional Office (Johannesburg) in delivering IATA’s programmes throughout the six English-speaking countries of West Africa: Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra-Leone, Gambia, Liberia and Cape Verde.

“This MoU is an important step in the development of civil aviation in West Africa, particularly Nigeria which is the region’s largest market,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO. “We have invested significant resources in Africa with our Johannesburg regional office. This agreement gives us a valuable local presence to deliver our many programmes - from safety to industry solutions and our settlement system.”

“Safety is our top priority,” added Bisignani. “The Nigerian government has taken major steps forward to build a solid foundation for safety improvement ........ I look forward to the continued great cooperation from the Director General of Civil Aviation, Harold Demuren and Minister of Transport Mudueke to continue to foster the development of civil aviation in Nigeria and West Africa.”

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