The Chief Commercial Officer of ValueJet, Trevor Henry, is set to bring more than four decades of commercial airline experience to the Aviation Day programme of the 22nd Akwaaba African Travel Market, where he will lead discussions on the rights of passengers affected by flight disruptions.
Henry is scheduled to speak on “Delayed and Cancelled Flights: The Rules and The Rights of Passengers: The Airline Perspective” at the event, which will take place on September 15, 2026, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.
The session is expected to provide an industry perspective on one of the most persistent issues confronting air travellers, airlines and regulators, particularly the handling of delayed and cancelled flights and the obligations of carriers to affected passengers.
The 22nd Akwaaba African Travel Market, regarded as one of the biggest travel and tourism marketplaces in West Africa, is expected to attract participants from across the continent, including airlines, travel agencies, tour operators, destination marketers, hospitality operators, government representatives and other tourism and aviation stakeholders.
Henry brings 40 years of airline experience
As the founding Chief Commercial Officer of ValueJet, Henry was responsible for developing and implementing the airline’s commercial strategy ahead of the launch of its flight operations in October 2022.
Since the airline commenced operations, ValueJet has secured a share of Nigeria’s domestic aviation market and expanded into regional operations, with flights to neighbouring countries and additional destinations under consideration.
Henry brings more than 40 years of commercial airline experience to the Aviation Day discussions, having worked with major carriers including South African Airways, Alitalia, Arik Air and ValueJet.
His international career has included senior management responsibilities across South Africa, Australia, Zimbabwe, India and West Africa, covering both airline headquarters and outstation operations.
Between 2003 and 2007, he represented Alitalia in Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal, before joining Arik Air in 2010 and subsequently moving to ValueJet in 2019.
Airline perspective on passenger rights
His Akwaaba presentation is expected to examine the often-contentious relationship between passenger expectations and the operational realities faced by airlines when flights are delayed or cancelled.
The session will provide an opportunity to examine the rules governing flight disruptions, what passengers are entitled to expect from airlines and how carriers manage their responsibilities when operational challenges affect scheduled services.
The discussion comes at a time when flight reliability, consumer protection and passenger experience remain important issues for Nigeria’s aviation industry.
For airlines, delays and cancellations can result from a range of factors, including weather, aircraft maintenance, operational constraints, air traffic management and other circumstances beyond the carrier’s immediate control. For passengers, however, disruptions can result in missed connections, additional expenses and significant inconvenience.
The session’s focus on “The Airline Perspective” is therefore expected to provide insight into how carriers balance passenger rights and service obligations with operational and commercial realities.
Connecting aviation with tourism
Henry’s participation also reinforces the growing importance of aviation to the development of Africa’s tourism industry.
Improved air connectivity, reliable flight operations and a better understanding of passenger rights are critical to building confidence in African travel and supporting the movement of tourists across the continent.
The Aviation Day programme at Akwaaba will bring aviation and tourism stakeholders together to discuss challenges and opportunities affecting the industry’s development, with Henry’s extensive experience expected to contribute practical commercial and operational perspectives.
The 22nd Akwaaba African Travel Market will take place in Lagos from September 13–15, 2026, culminating on September 15 at Eko Hotel and Suites.
The event is expected to serve as a major meeting point for Africa’s travel trade, creating opportunities for networking, business partnerships and discussions on the future of aviation and tourism across the continent.
