The president of AATON reaffirms his commitment to increasing professionalism in the aviation sector

May 30 (THEWILL) – President of the Association of Aviation Training Organizations of Nigeria (AATON), Mr. Bankole Bernard, has expressed his commitment to raising awareness and improving professionalism in the aviation industry.

Confirming that such a move would attract younger generations and foreign investors, Bernard also announced a renewed focus on improving aviation training in Nigeria.

Bernard, who is also the Group Managing Director of Finchglow Holdings, stated this recently at a press conference in Lagos, stating that he is now in a better position than before to actively promote the objectives of AATON.

He stressed the need for greater recognition of AATON by government officials, noting that “even the minister may not be fully aware of the association’s existence.”

Bernard emphasized that AATON plays a key role in the development of aviation professionals, which is essential for the development of the industry.

“For significant development to occur, the personnel aspect of the industry must be taken seriously. We need to make people aware of other professions in aviation,” he said.

By using AATON, Bernard hopes to encourage the creation of more aviation schools, similar to the Lagos Aviation Academy, which Finchglow Holdings founded in 2017 and has since graduated more than 2,400 students.

Reflecting on his tenure as President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA), Bernard expressed pride in the progress made.

He said: “Before I became president of NANTA, it was difficult for people to see the impact of the association. Today, NANTA is known and respected.”

In his plans, he revealed that the positive impact he had made at NANTA would extend to AATON as he envisioned a transformed tourism industry, dynamic and respected, capable of attracting significant foreign investment.

Bernard reaffirmed his commitment to changing the perception and improving the aviation and travel sector in Nigeria.

“We can change the scope of the industry to make it attractive even to foreign investors,” he added.