The long-awaited International World Aviation Forum (IWAF) 2017, would kick-off today at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
The three-day event, organised in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), is the third in the series and Nigeria is the first country to host the Forum outside the ICAO headquarters in Montreal, Canada.
Barring unforseen circumstances, President Muhammadu Buhari will personally declare the event open, while the Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika will also grace the occasion. Already, expectations are high as many Nigerians wonder what the country stands to gain from hosting global aviation leaders from November 20-22.
Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika said in his tweeter handle @hadisirika that the Federal Government will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Boeing for the establishment of a national carrier for Nigeria during the event. He also revealed that another aircraft manufacturing company, Airbus had equally indicated interest in partnering with Nigeria on the same project and will in addition, establish a Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) facility in the country.