Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc has restated its commitment to operational excellence, ethical business practices, innovation and sustainable growth as it reviews its performance in 2025 and sets out its strategic direction for 2026 and the years ahead.
In a New Year message issued on behalf of the Chairman, Board of Directors and Executive Management, the company expressed profound appreciation to its customers for their continued patronage and confidence throughout 2025.
SAHCO emphasised that strong customer partnerships remain the backbone of its operations and pledged to sustain a culture of attentive listening, quality service delivery and consistent value creation.
The company also acknowledged the support of key stakeholders and partner government agencies, noting that effective collaboration with regulators and industry institutions contributed significantly to its ability to deliver services efficiently and meet shared objectives within the aviation sector.
Commenting on its internal performance, SAHCO praised the commitment, professionalism and teamwork of its employees across all operational locations nationwide.
According to management, the dedication of staff was instrumental in achieving major operational milestones in 2025, including the successful renewal of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO), a critical global benchmark for safety and operational integrity.
SAHCO confirmed that its Regulated Agent (RA3) certification remains valid until 2027, while its Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON) and Quality Management System (QMS) certifications were renewed during the year under review.
The company also disclosed that its Training School Authorisation was renewed in 2025, adding that plans are in place to expand the facility and strengthen its training curriculum in 2026 in line with international standards and best practices.
On the commercial front, the ground handling company reported notable growth in its airline portfolio in 2025, with the onboarding of new customers such as Ethiopian Airlines, Air Tanzania and Air Algérie.
SAHCO also expanded its scope of service with ValueJet Airlines and United Nigeria Airlines to include their regional routes in addition to domestic operations. Other airlines added to its customer base include Pioneer Airlines, Binani Airlines, ExeJet/Enugu Air, as well as Air Peace on its Antigua and Barbados operations.
The company’s performance during the year also attracted multiple industry recognitions. These included the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Safety Excellence Award, the Aircraft Handling Service Achievement Award from the Nigeria Aviation Group (NIGAV), Aviation Service Provider of the Year from the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, and Best Ground Support Service Company of the Year at the Nigeria International Air Show.
In addition, SAHCO received the Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Certification of Recognition from the International Air Transport Association.
At the international level, British Airways recognised SAHCO’s Abuja Station with a Bronze Award and its Lagos Station with a Gold Award for punctuality and safety performance across the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific regions, underscoring the company’s growing reputation for service quality.
In line with its sustainability agenda, SAHCO revealed that it commenced the phased replacement of ageing equipment with environmentally friendly alternatives in 2025.
The initiative, the company said, will continue in 2026 as part of its commitment to environmental responsibility and compliance with sustainability standards across all its facilities.
Looking ahead, SAHCO disclosed that its 2026 strategy will prioritise operational excellence, revenue growth and business expansion.
Key focus areas include the expansion of cargo handling services, stronger partnerships with state-owned airports, pursuit of new industry certifications, deeper engagement with local, regional and international airline partners, and improved customer engagement frameworks.
The company also plans to diversify into new business lines across the aviation value chain.
According to management, these strategic priorities are anchored on SAHCO’s “4Ps Strategy” for 2026 – People, Process, Performance and Platform.
The framework is designed to develop a highly skilled, safety-driven workforce, standardise and enforce operating procedures, utilise data-driven analytics to enhance performance and revenue, and deploy an integrated digital and operational platform that connects people, processes, equipment and data.
Reaffirming its outlook for the year, SAHCO stated that as it enters 2026, it remains committed to reimagining excellence with ethics at the core, innovation in action and adaptability as the foundation for sustainable success in the aviation industry.
About The Author
