BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) has used the 35th Airports Council International (ACI) Africa Annual General Assembly, Regional Conference and Exhibition in Abuja to showcase its capabilities and highlight the growing importance of ground-handling services in Africa’s aviation industry.
The conference, held under the theme, “Next-Gen Airports: Driving Performance and Resilience,” has attracted more than 500 delegates and over 40 speakers, sponsors and exhibitors from Africa and beyond.
The event is focusing on airport development, operational efficiency, digital transformation, sustainability, passenger experience, safety, security and commercial development.
Speaking on behalf of SAHCO Chairman, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, the company’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Adenike Aboderin, said the company’s participation went beyond corporate visibility.
According to Afolabi, SAHCO’s presence at the gathering places Nigerian ground-handling companies within the wider continental conversation on the future of airport development and the services required to make airports more efficient and competitive.
“Our appearance places Nigeria’s major ground-handling companies directly within a continental conversation about what the airport of the future should look like and the supporting services required to make such airports efficient, competitive and passenger-focused,” he said.
Afolabi noted that SAHCO occupies an important position within Nigeria’s aviation services ecosystem, connecting airlines, airports, passengers and the wider aviation supply chain.
He said the company’s operations cover passenger handling, baggage handling, ramp handling, cargo handling and warehousing, among other aviation-related services.
He added that SAHCO’s participation provided an opportunity to demonstrate how ground handling was becoming an increasingly important part of the airport experience rather than merely an invisible support service.
The SAHCO chairman said the conference theme was particularly relevant as African airports faced growing pressure to improve operational efficiency, accommodate rising passenger numbers, adopt new technologies and meet sustainability and commercial performance targets.
He explained that the quality of ground handling, cargo processing, baggage movement, aircraft turnaround and passenger facilitation could significantly influence airline operations and passengers’ experiences at airports.
“The quality of ground handling, cargo processing, baggage movement, aircraft turnaround and passenger facilitation can significantly influence an airline’s operational efficiency and, ultimately, the passenger’s perception of an airport. This is where companies such as SAHCO become important stakeholders in the broader airport-development conversation,” he said.
Afolabi further stated that the Abuja conference offered SAHCO an opportunity to engage airport operators, airlines, regulators, technology providers and other service providers on improving coordination across the aviation value chain.
He said the company’s participation demonstrated the role of Nigerian ground-handling companies in shaping the future of African aviation.
“Under my leadership, SAHCO has continued to position itself as an aviation-services company with an emphasis on professionalism, operational development and business growth. Our presence here presents us with an opportunity to showcase our capabilities, engage with industry peers and partners, and contribute to conversations about the next generation of airport operations,” he said.
He added that the company’s participation reinforced its evolving position within Nigeria’s aviation value chain.
“As Africa’s airports move towards greater automation, improved passenger experience, stronger cargo systems and more resilient operations, the quality and efficiency of ground services will remain central to the success of that transformation,” Afolabi said.
He also stressed the strategic importance of international visibility and industry partnerships to Nigerian aviation companies, particularly in a sector where airline contracts and cross-border collaborations are essential for business growth.
According to him, Nigerian aviation companies should be seen not only as local service providers but also as potential partners in Africa’s increasingly integrated aviation market.
He said engagements such as the ACI Africa conference demonstrated the growing connection between Nigeria’s ground-handling industry and the wider African aviation market.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
