The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (nahco aviance), West Africa’s largest ground handling service provider, has announced the signing of a series of new and renewed ground handling contracts with major international and regional airlines, reinforcing its dominant position in Nigeria’s aviation support services market.
In a statement issued after the public holidays, NAHCO disclosed that it had successfully renewed its total handling contracts with leading European carriers Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic, as well as African operator Rwand Air.
In addition to these renewals, the company also secured fresh ground handling agreements with United Nigeria – Regional, Bellagio Air and Malaikair.
According to the statement, the renewed contracts with Air France and KLM are for a period of three years and will run until 2028, while Virgin Atlantic’s renewed agreement is also for three years. The contract with Rwand Air is similarly for three years, taking effect from October 1, 2025.
On the domestic and regional front, NAHCO revealed that its new contract with United Nigeria – Regional is for a longer duration of five years, effective August 1, 2025. Bellagio Air has signed a three-year contract, while Malaikair’s agreement will span five years.
Bellagio Air, described as one of Nigeria’s emerging airlines, is positioning itself as a premium yet efficient carrier offering reliable services across key domestic and regional routes.
The airline aims to redefine air travel through a blend of luxury, operational efficiency and customer-focused service delivery.
Malaikair, on the other hand, is a regional airline with a strong customer-centric outlook and a mission to make air travel more accessible and affordable for Africans.
The airline is also focused on strengthening connectivity between Africa and the Caribbean, in line with its broader vision of fostering economic and cultural ties across regions.
Commenting on the development, the Group Executive Director, Commercial and Business Development at NAHCO Plc, Prince Saheed Lasisi, expressed delight over the new and renewed contracts, noting that the agreements reflect the confidence airlines continue to repose in the company’s capabilities.
Prince Lasisi stated that NAHCO’s over 46 years of consistent and unblemished service delivery have set it apart from other service providers in the industry. He emphasised that the company remains committed to exceeding the expectations of its clients and stakeholders.
“This is what we have been doing for almost half of a century. We will continue to delight our customers and make our stakeholders happy by exceeding expectations in all aspects of our service offerings. We are always willing and ready to do more,” he said.
Also speaking, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCO Plc, Mr Olumuyiwa Olumekun, noted that the company’s ongoing investment in a new fleet of modern ground handling equipment would further enhance service delivery across all stations.
“With the new fleet of equipment we are deploying, our service delivery will only get better, and our airline partners can expect even higher levels of efficiency, safety and reliability,” Olumekun added.
NAHCO, founded in December 1979 by the Federal Government through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in partnership with four international airlines – Air France, British Airways, Sabena and Lufthansa – has grown into a publicly quoted company listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX).
Today, it operates across all major Nigerian airports and has diversified interests spanning energy, logistics, free trade zone management, airport management, travel and hospitality, as well as commodity exports.
As at December 31, 2024, the company had three institutional investors holding more than five per cent of its total shares, namely Godsmart Nigeria Limited with 27.31 per cent, White Cowries Industries Limited with 8.65 per cent, and Awhua Resources Limited with 7.13 per cent.
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