BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) has etched its name in the annals of African aviation, securing the prestigious ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Information Security Management System (ISMS) certification and becoming the only aviation ground handling company in Nigeria and one of the very few on the continent to attain the globally respected standard.
ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is the international gold standard for information security management.
It provides a rigorous framework for safeguarding sensitive data, managing cybersecurity threats, and ensuring the confidentiality, integrity and availability of critical information.
In today’s highly digitised aviation ecosystem, where operational systems, passenger manifests, cargo data, airline communications and regulatory interfaces are seamlessly interconnected, such certification is not just desirable; it is indispensable.
The milestone followed a comprehensive audit and compliance assessment by a globally accredited certification body, during which SAHCO successfully satisfied all stringent requirements.
The achievement underscores the company’s deep commitment to cyber resilience, operational discipline and world-class service delivery.
In modern aviation ground handling, digital infrastructure powers everything from flight dispatch coordination and cargo processing to passenger handling and safety procedures. A single vulnerability can disrupt operations.
By attaining ISO/IEC 27001:2022, SAHCO has demonstrated industry-leading capacity in identifying security risks, deploying preventive safeguards and ensuring business continuity amid evolving cyber threats.
This latest accomplishment adds to SAHCO’s impressive portfolio of certifications, including ISAGO, RA3, EMS, QMS, SMS, ISO and SON approvals, reinforcing its culture of compliance and operational excellence.
The certification confirms that the company has established, implemented and continually improves a robust information security framework that protects critical data belonging to airline partners, customers, regulators and other stakeholders.
Speaking on the breakthrough, Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Afolabi, stressed that information security transcends the IT department.
“Information security is not just an IT function; it is an organizational responsibility. Every employee plays a role in protecting our systems and customer data. Through structured training, strict policies, and continuous monitoring, we have built a proactive security culture that supports safe, secure, and reliable aviation operations,” he said.
The certification spans SAHCO’s core operational domains, including cargo handling operations, customer information management, operational systems and key corporate support services.
Implementation required extensive risk assessments, deployment of layered security controls, staff awareness programmes, incident response planning, business continuity strategies and continuous monitoring mechanisms aligned with global best practices.
Beyond the accolade, the certification firmly positions SAHCO as a continental trailblazer in secure aviation ground handling.
It reflects a deliberate strategy centred on digital transformation, cybersecurity investment and uncompromising operational integrity.
With this achievement, SAHCO joins an elite cadre of global aviation ground handling service providers operating under internationally certified information security standards, setting a new benchmark not only in Nigeria but across Africa’s rapidly evolving aviation landscape.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
