As part of efforts to continuously provide optimal service delivery to its teeming clients, Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc has expanded its fleet of ultra-modern aviation ground handling equipment by acquiring universal loaders, tractors, container dollies, canopied passenger steps, conveyor belt loaders and air starter units.

The new universal loaders, according to a statement issued by the Manager, Corporate Communications, SAHCO PLC, Mrs. Vanessa Adetola Uansohia were manufactured by French Ground Support Equipment (GSE) maker, AirMarrel in France are 7,000 tonnes lower and main deck loaders.

The GSEs, she said are well-matched with the latest compatible standards and can be used to load both pallets and containers, adding that the loaders are also equipped with Aircraft Approach sensors that minimises accident or damage to the aircraft body by restricting contact.

She explained that the three ruggedly built GSEs also known as E-LAM 7,000 are fitted with tier 4 Deutz engines and that it is the capacity to travel long distances that makes them compatible for Nigerian terrains and long distanced tarmac.

The E-LAM 7,000s,she further explained  can similarly be used for loading at both the front cargo hold and at the rear cargo hold.

In addition, SAHCO, she informed, has acquired three Air Starter Units (ASU) equipment from Guinault, a GSE manufacturer resident in France.

ACUs are used to start an aircraft’s engine while it is on ground and that the ASUs acquired by SAHCO can power both wide body and narrow body aircrafts, adding that they are also fitted with tier 4 Deutz engines with low emission of carbon monoxide and are built to produce 180 pounds per minute of power.

The Manager Corporate Communications further explained that the ASUs are built with aluminum chassis which prevent rusting thereby making them an all-weather equipment which can be used under the rain or the scorching sun.

Also procured by SAHCO are 6 Sherpa Tractors to boost the existing fleet of GSE in SAHCO.

These tractors, the spokesperson said are built to service both cargo and passenger baggage, adding that the front wheels of the tractors have been modified to be bigger than the older models to enable a better stability of the equipment and to suit a rough terrain better.

She stated that besides, the seats have in-built leaf springs to ensure that the operator is comfortable driving the equipment thereby preventing any work-related development of hernia due to hard and immobile seats.

The GSEs, she pointed out, are fitted with tier 4 Deutz engines for low emission of carbon monoxide which according to her makes them environmentally friendly.

The Tractors which were produced by Goldhofer from Germany, she said are built to have low fuel consumption capacity.

She also informed that SAHCO added 50 Container Dollies manufactured by Bombelli, an Italian GSE company to the new fleet of GSEs, stressing that these Container Dollies are used to transport Unit Load Devices (ULD) during Operations.

The Dollies, she said are made of galvanised steel to prevent corrosion and rusting and are fitted with spring loaded hooks which makes connection and pulling easy for operators.

Similarly, the Canopied Passengers Steps and Conveyor Belts were manufactured by Bombelli and that the three Canopied Passenger Steps have factory fitted coverings to protect passengers from the rain or scorching sun while embarking or disembarking.

 She added that they are also fitted with Aircraft Proximity Sensors in accordance with world best practices.

She posited that the Passenger Steps also have the capacity of being motorised or manually operated and can be used to service the following aircraft: B737, B727, B757, CRJ, A318 – A321.

On Conveyor Belts, SAHCO said that the three Conveyor Belts which are used for loading and unloading of baggage, are equally fitted with in-built Aircraft Proximity Sensors.

The roller belts, she explained, are manufactured in a block assembly fashion which makes the GSE to convey loads faster, carry more weight and last longer.

Speaking on the equipment, the Managing Director/CEO of SAHCO, Basil Agboarumi, said SAHCO is committed to always providing safe, speedy and efficient services for clients and prospective clients.

 The Managing Director said that as SAHCO clients are expanding their routes, the ground handling company is also ensuring that it exceeds their expectations by expanding its fleet too.

“We are constantly training our staff both abroad and locally to learn how to operate and maintain these new equipment so as to maximise their productivity,” Agboarumi said

Recently, SAHCO won the Best Ground Handling Award in Africa at the Aviators Africa Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa in recognition of SAHCO’s immense contribution to the development of African Aviation.

SAHCO was nominated with three other Ground Handling Companies after which it won with a landslide due to SAHCO’s continuous input in ensuring that all activities are executed according to best world practices.

SAHCO is a publicly listed aviation ground handling service provider that is present in all the commercially operated airports in Nigeria which are Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Calabar, Ilorin, Enugu, Maiduguri, Gombe, Ibadan, Jos, Asaba, Benin, Bauchi, Uyo, Sokoto, Kaduna, Yola, Bayelsa, Warri and Anambra.