NAHCO Deepens Aviation Industry Footprint with Major Airline Contract Renewals, FlyGabon Deal, Solar Cell Exports to US
The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) has reinforced its position as West Africa’s leading ground handling service provider after securing fresh contract renewals with Qatar Airways, Saudia Airlines and ASKY Airlines, signing a new agreement with FlyGabon, and expanding its cargo operations through the export of solar cells from Nigeria to the United States.
The company announced the developments as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen its market leadership in aviation ground handling and diversify its revenue streams through growing cargo and logistics operations.
The latest agreements come amid increasing competition within the aviation support services sector and further demonstrate the confidence local and international airlines continue to place in NAHCO’s operational capabilities, safety standards and service delivery record.
According to the company, Qatar Airways has renewed its partnership with NAHCO for another three years, extending a long-standing relationship between the Nigerian ground handling company and one of the Middle East’s largest airlines.
Similarly, Saudia Airlines, the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, has agreed to continue its partnership with NAHCO for an additional five years, while regional airline ASKY has also extended its contract with the company for another three years.
The renewals represent a significant endorsement of NAHCO’s performance and its ability to meet the operational requirements of some of the world’s leading carriers.
In addition to retaining its existing airline partners, NAHCO has secured a fresh three-year contract with FlyGabon, a rapidly expanding African airline that recently entered the Nigerian market.
The agreement, which runs from October 2024 to September 2027, will see NAHCO provide ground handling services for the airline’s operations in Nigeria.
FlyGabon’s expansion into Nigeria is part of its broader strategy to strengthen connectivity across West, Central and Southern Africa, and the selection of NAHCO as its handling partner highlights the company’s growing reputation across the continent.
The new contract further expands NAHCO’s client portfolio and adds to a series of agreements secured by the company in recent months.
Earlier this year, the company announced new partnerships with Sky 7, Pioneer, Avia Green, Benani and Aviation Clearing House. It also renewed and expanded contracts with major international airlines including Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic and RwandAir.
Industry analysts believe the steady stream of contract renewals and new business acquisitions reflects the confidence of airline operators in NAHCO’s ability to deliver efficient, safe and reliable services in an increasingly demanding aviation environment.
Beyond its airline handling business, NAHCO has also recorded a major breakthrough in the cargo segment with the commencement of solar cell exports from Nigeria to the United States.
The company disclosed that BGE (Nigeria) Solar FZE began exporting solar cells through Lagos in January 2026 using NAHCO’s cargo facilities and logistics infrastructure.
The project marks a significant step in Nigeria’s growing participation in the global renewable energy value chain and highlights the increasing role of aviation logistics in supporting non-oil exports.
According to NAHCO, the initial shipments were transported through international carriers including Lufthansa, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines and DHL.
The consignments, which ranged between 20 and 50 tonnes per shipment, were facilitated through freight forwarding partners Access Freight and Ideal Royal.
To support the operation, NAHCO has been providing comprehensive cargo handling services, including cargo acceptance, warehousing, export processing, cargo build-up and aircraft handling.
The company said its integrated handling services have ensured seamless movement of the cargo from Nigeria to international destinations while maintaining operational efficiency and timely departures.
As global demand for renewable energy products continues to grow, NAHCO expects the solar cell export business to attract additional airline operators and further expand its cargo handling portfolio.
Speaking on the latest developments, the Group Executive Director, Commercial and Business Development, Prince Saheed Lasisi, described the contract renewals and new partnerships as a strong vote of confidence in the company’s capabilities.
He said the ability to retain long-standing customers while attracting new airlines demonstrates NAHCO’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.
Lasisi noted that the company’s track record, spanning more than four decades, has enabled it to build enduring relationships with aviation stakeholders across different regions of the world.
According to him, NAHCO remains committed to delivering world-class services and exceeding the expectations of its growing list of partners.
“We are fully prepared to exceed the expectations of these new partners, drawing on more than 47 years of unblemished service to maintain our reputation for excellence,” he said.
Also commenting on the development, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCO Plc, Mr Olumuyiwa Olumekun, attributed the company’s continued success to its focus on innovation, operational efficiency and stakeholder value.
He explained that NAHCO has consistently invested in modern technologies and operational systems that improve service delivery and enable it to meet the increasingly complex requirements of airline operators.
Olumekun stressed that the company’s strategy is centred on delivering value to customers while ensuring sustainable returns for shareholders.
He added that NAHCO remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety, reliability and operational discipline across all its business segments.
According to him, the company will continue to strengthen its position as a trusted aviation services provider by supporting airline operations and facilitating connectivity across Africa and beyond.
“We remain committed to a strategy that prioritises operational discipline and stakeholder happiness, ensuring that NAHCO continues to set the benchmark for safety and reliability in African aviation,” he said.
Established in December 1979 by the Federal Government through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) alongside Air France, British Airways, Sabena and Lufthansa, NAHCO has grown from a specialised ground handling company into a diversified aviation and logistics conglomerate.
Today, the company operates in all major airports across Nigeria and has expanded its interests into logistics, energy, airport management, hospitality, free trade zone operations and commodity exports.
Listed on the Nigerian Exchange, the company has evolved into a multi-billion-naira enterprise with a strong institutional investor base and a reputation for operational excellence.
With fresh airline partnerships, renewed international contracts and a growing presence in export logistics, NAHCO appears poised to consolidate its leadership of the aviation ground handling sector while exploring new opportunities in cargo, trade facilitation and international logistics.
