Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), a Public Liability Company  has renewed its ground handling contract with Arik Air.

The Managing Director/CEO, SAHCO, Mr. Basil Agboarumi, disclosed this during the renewal of ground handling service agreement with Arik Air at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.

He promised to deliver quality and improved ground handling services to all its clientele across the nation’s airports especially as it acquires more state-of-the-art equipment for operations.

Basil also disclosed that some of the company’s new ground handling equipment would arrive the county in the next few weeks, adding that this would further improve the quality of service to its clients, including Arik Air.

According to him, since the company was acquired by Sifax Group of companies about nine years ago, the board had strived to improve the quality of services to its clients, stressing it would continue to grow its services especially as the company is enlisted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

On the agreement that was renewed with Arik Air for three years, Agboarumi emphasised that it portends endorsement and credibility on the services of the ground handling company.

“Today is unique for SAHCO. The Initial Public Offering (IPO) for SAHCO begins today (Monday) and we are signing this contract with Arik Air. Arik Air has been with SAHCO for several years and we have witnessed the growth of the company over the years.

“We are happy that the new management has established the airline on the right path. Arik Air is a good company to do business with. We are very proud to associate with the airline. Wherever Arik Air is mentioned, we will stand up for you. We have new equipment coming in. Some of them are on the high seas, while others are with us here already in the country.

“We have warehouses in Port Harcourt, Kano, Lagos and Abuja and we are ready to build warehouses wherever they are needed. You have to understand that we are business people. If there is need for business expansion to any airport in the country, we will not hesitate to do that. Not just in Enugu, but across Nigeria. As long as business is expanding to those sides, you will see SAHCO there.

“You will understand that we are the only ground handling company that operates in all commercially operated airports in Nigeria. So, when it comes to warehouses and we are sure that it will be utilised to the fullest capacity, we will be there,” Agboarumi said.

Also speaking, the Vice President, Ground Operations, Arik Air, Mr. Murat Ozcan, expressed excitement with the renewed agreement with the ground handling company.

Ozcan also said that the airline had for the past five years developed a mutual relationship with SAHCO.

He explained that the renewed agreement would run for three years, adding that the management would be willing to constantly renew its contracts with the ground handling company.

He posited that equipment of SAHCO had improved over the years and urged the management to constantly invest in state-of-the-art equipment.

According to him, “We have a very long standing relationship with SAHCO and they have always been there for Arik Airlines. For the past five years, we have had a very great experience with them and I am happy to say that we have signed for another three years for SAHCO to provide ground handling assistance for our networks.

“It is a very happy day for us and we will be looking forward to work with them for the next three years as well as many more years to come.”

SAHCO is an aviation ground handling company, offering services in passenger handling, ramp handling, cargo handling and warehousing, Aviation Security, baggage reconciliation, crew bus and Executive Lounge Services and other related ground handling services.