NAHCO Deploys Fresh Batch of Multi-Million Dollar Equipment, Reaffirms Commitment to Complete Refleeting by 2026
The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (nahco aviance) has once again boosted its operational capacity with the commissioning and deployment of another batch of multi-million-dollar ground support equipment (GSE), reaffirming its pledge to achieve full refleeting by the end of 2026.
The commissioning ceremony, held on Tuesday, 2nd September, marked another milestone in NAHCO’s ongoing investment drive aimed at strengthening aviation support services across Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors, Dr. Seinde Oladapo Fadeni, underscored the significance of the acquisition, noting that it was not only for the benefit of customers but also for the wellbeing of NAHCO’s workforce.
“The essence of these equipment is not just for the company alone or for the customers, it is also to make life easier for the workers. I can confirm to you that we have a lot in our cap, and we’re bringing them out one by one,” Fadeni declared.
He further explained that the acquisition process commenced in 2024 but faced delivery delays due to production and shipping timelines from the manufacturer. Despite this, he assured stakeholders that the Company would possess more than adequate equipment before 2026 comes to a close.
The Company’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Didier Stuellet, commended the Board for its bold decision to commit significant resources to equipment acquisition.
“It’s a huge investment. We’re talking about millions, not in naira, but in dollars. This is always a difficult decision for the owners of a company like this, but it is indeed the best decision for NAHCO,” Stuellet said.
He revealed that the Company was already more than halfway into its comprehensive refleeting programme, with additional equipment expected in the coming months and years.
Highlighting the scale of the acquisition, the Head of Ground Support Equipment, Mr. Charles Karinga, described NAHCO’s purchase of nine brand-new high loaders as unprecedented in the Nigerian aviation industry.
“Buying this number of high loaders at the same time is not something that is normally done by many handlers in this clime because they are very expensive. This is the first time this would be happening,” Karinga noted.
He explained that a high loader, designed with a high-reach lift mechanism, is critical for loading and unloading cargo, food, and other items cleared for air transportation.
Karinga further emphasised that the brand procured by NAHCO ranks among the best globally, guaranteeing years of reliable service for the company and its airline partners.
It would be recalled that at the launch of NAHCO’s GSE refleeting programme in 2024, Dr. Fadeni pledged to fully upgrade the Company’s equipment fleet by 2026.
Since then, NAHCO has consistently taken delivery of new units each quarter, signalling its determination to maintain leadership in ground handling services across West Africa.
With this latest deployment, NAHCO is not only consolidating its market position but also redefining service delivery standards in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
