BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) PLC has marked a remarkable year of transformation, growth, and industry leadership under the dynamic stewardship of its Managing Director/CEO, Mrs. Adenike Aboderin.
Since assuming leadership, Mrs. Aboderin has driven the company to new heights, redefining standards in aviation ground handling and strengthening SAHCO’s position as a dominant force in Africa’s aviation sector.
In the financial year ending December 2024, SAHCO achieved an extraordinary 74.8% increase in revenue compared to the previous year, signaling one of the most impressive financial performances in the company’s history.
This significant growth is a testament to SAHCO’s unwavering commitment to operational excellence, superior service delivery, and strategic partnerships with key stakeholders in the aviation industry.
By optimizing resources, enhancing efficiency, and expanding service offerings, SAHCO has successfully navigated a competitive market landscape, emerging as a benchmark for excellence in the sector.
The financial upswing is also reflective of the company’s continuous investment in technology, personnel training, and customer-centric service enhancements, all of which have contributed to its stellar performance.
Under Mrs. Aboderin’s leadership, SAHCO has solidified and expanded its market presence by securing and renewing major airline contracts.
Among the notable achievements is the successful five-year renewal of its ground handling contract with British Airways, underscoring SAHCO’s reputation for reliability and world-class service delivery.
Additionally, SAHCO signed a five-year agreement with South African Airways and strengthened partnerships with key airline operators such as Bristow Airlines, Value Jet, Ibom Air, Green Africa, and Air Cote D’Ivoire.
Demonstrating its commitment to expanding regional and international operations, SAHCO also secured the Air Peace London route, Ibom Air’s regional services to Accra, and Uganda Airlines’ extended operations to Abuja.
The company made strategic inroads into the religious tourism sector by securing key Hajj handling contracts with Flynas and Umza Air.
Further bolstering its portfolio, SAHCO signed a full handling agreement with Neos Air, successfully reviving the Nigerian-Italian route after nearly two decades.
On the domestic front, new handling agreements with Umza Aviation, LTT Cargo, and ASTRA Aviation have cemented SAHCO’s dominance in Nigeria’s aviation ground handling industry.
SAHCO’s relentless commitment to excellence has not gone unnoticed, as the company received multiple prestigious awards from British Airways.
These include the Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Awards for Safety & Punctuality at the Lagos station, as well as a Bronze Award for its Abuja operations.
Such accolades reinforce SAHCO’s position as a trusted ground handling service provider known for its reliability and operational efficiency.
One of the standout moments of the year was SAHCO’s record-setting ground handling performance for an Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight.
The company successfully offloaded 37 pallets from a Boeing 777 in just 37 minutes—a remarkable feat that underscores its expertise in aviation logistics and efficiency.
This operational milestone not only showcases SAHCO’s technical prowess but also reinforces its ability to deliver exceptional turnaround times, a critical factor in modern aviation.
Safety and environmental sustainability have remained top priorities under Mrs. Aboderin’s leadership.
In a demonstration of its commitment to maintaining the highest industry standards, SAHCO successfully renewed its IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) and RA3 certifications.
These certifications serve as proof of the company’s adherence to international best practices in safety and regulatory compliance.
Furthermore, SAHCO reinforced its corporate affiliation with the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), solidifying its position as a safety-conscious organization.
The company has also invested heavily in environmentally friendly ground support equipment, aligning its operations with global sustainability efforts.
These initiatives reflect SAHCO’s forward-thinking approach, ensuring that its operations remain both efficient and environmentally responsible.
Mrs. Adenike Aboderin’s first year at the helm has been nothing short of transformative. Through her visionary leadership, SAHCO has not only achieved remarkable financial success but has also set new industry benchmarks in safety, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
As the company looks to the future, its commitment to innovation, strategic expansion, and sustainability will remain key drivers of growth.
With a strong foundation laid and an ambitious roadmap ahead, SAHCO is poised to continue redefining aviation ground handling in Nigeria and beyond.
Mrs. Aboderin’s strategic vision ensures that SAHCO will remain a trusted and indispensable partner to airlines, passengers, and stakeholders in the global aviation industry.
