Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) has upgraded its operations with the acquisition of state-of-the-art ground services equipment (GSE) worth one billion Nigerian Naira (US$2.7 million).
The equipment was commissioned last week at the ground handling’s Engineering and Maintenance Workshop in the Air Force Base of Lagos Murtala Muhammed Airport.
Some of the equipment commissioned by SAHCO included three ground power units (GPU), load bank, tow bars, tyre removal machines and 10 new engines for ground operations.
SAHCO managing director, Basil Agboarumi said that apart from the machines unveiled, some other equipment were currently at Onne Port in Port Harcourt awaiting final clearance.
Agboarumi said SAHCO was already “changing the face of aviation ground handling services in Nigeria with its latest acquisition, stressing that the company would consistently offer its clients the best of services anywhere in the country”.
He added that with the regular upgrade and investment on equipment, SAHCO would be a force to reckon with in global aviation industry.
Agboarumi said: “As a ground handling company, we want to ensure that we do ground handling to the highest industry standards. We understand we need to deploy equipment that will make our clients happy and we also know that we have to partner with our clients.
“Apart from these that are commissioned today, some of our other equipment are still coming to Lagos from Port Harcourt. They are presently awaiting clearance from the port. SAHCO is moving towards making the right impacts in the industry. We always want to operate safe and efficient ground handling operations for our clients.”
In all, three brand new GPU were procured, five tow bars, load bank and others. The tow bars can handle Airbus A320, Boeing 737, A330, A340-200/300, A350, B767, B777, B787 and IL96. Others were DC10/MD 11, L10 11, A340-500/600 and B747.
According to Agboarumi, the equipment was manufactured in France and came with training for its technical personnel.
