Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC (SAHCO) and Virgin Atlantic Airline have signed cargo handling agreement. Under the contract, SAHCO would handle all Virgin Atlantic Airline cargo operations.

According to Mrs. Vanessa Adetola Uansohia, Manager, Corporate  Communications of SAHCO, SAHCO Plc was chosen by the airline based on its track records in cargo handling, ramp handling, passenger handling, warehousing among other ground handling activities in the aviation sector in Nigeria and West Africa Sub-region.

Uansohia noted that Virgin Atlantic Cargo awarded the handling contract to SAHCO in Lagos to improve its service offering for customers in Nigeria and to provide growth capacity following a 19% boost in the airline’s export volumes last year and higher inbound demand from the pharmaceutical and courier sectors.

‘’From 10^th April 2019, Virgin Atlantic’s import and export cargo would be handled in SAHCO’s 22,000 sqm warehouse operation at Murtala Muhammed International Airport. This incorporates special facilities including cold rooms for perishables and temperature-sensitive shipments, and dedicated locations for courier and high value cargo. The warehouse building’s 22 truck loading bays will expedite collections and deliveries of cargo, while 24/7 CCTV coverage, access control systems, screening technology and a control room will ensure the highest levels of security,’’ the communications manager stated.

Speaking on the development, Director–Cargo Operations, Virgin Atlantic, Tonia Boye, optimistic that the contract with SAHCO PLC would help boost the company’s cargo business.

“Lagos has been an important cargo market for us for more than 17 years and we are forecasting further growth in our export and import volumes in 2019. By moving to a larger and modern facility, we can improve our product and service offerings for the growing number of companies moving goods to and from Nigeria,” Boye stated.