NAHCO Extends Airline Contracts, Expands Cargo Operations With Solar Cell Exports

The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) has strengthened its position in Nigeria’s aviation ground handling sector after securing contract extensions with major airlines, including Qatar Airways, Saudia Airlines and ASKY.

The company also announced a new partnership with emerging African carrier FlyGabon, further expanding its portfolio of airline clients.

In a statement, NAHCO said the renewed agreements reflect continued confidence in its service delivery, built on more than four decades of operations in Nigeria’s aviation industry.

The company disclosed that its partnership with Qatar Airways, one of its long-standing clients, had been extended for another three years, while its agreement with Saudia Airlines would continue for five more years.

NAHCO also renewed its contract with regional airline operator ASKY for an additional three years and secured a three-year handling agreement with FlyGabon, covering the period from October 2024 to September 2027.

The company said the entry of FlyGabon into its network aligns with the airline’s expansion plans in Nigeria and its ambition to improve connectivity across West, Central and Southern Africa.

The latest agreements add to NAHCO’s growing list of airline partnerships, including contracts with Sky 7, Pioneer, Avia Green, Benani, the Aviation Clearing House, as well as previous agreements with international carriers such as Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic and RwandAir.

Beyond airline handling services, NAHCO announced that it has commenced the export of solar cells to the United States through its cargo-handling facilities in Lagos.

The company said BGE (Nigeria) Solar FZE has been using NAHCO’s facilities since January 2026 to process and move solar cell shipments to the US market.

According to NAHCO, the project initially involved shipments transported through scheduled carriers including Lufthansa, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines and DHL, with consignments ranging from 20 to 50 tonnes through freight forwarding partners.

The company said it provides comprehensive cargo support for the project, including cargo acceptance, build-up, warehousing, export processing and aircraft handling services to ensure smooth operations.

Group Executive Director, Commercial and Business Development, NAHCO Plc, Prince Saheed Lasisi, said the new contracts demonstrate the company’s continued ability to meet the expectations of local and international airlines.

He said NAHCO’s experience, operational capacity and commitment to service excellence remain key factors behind the confidence placed in the company by its partners.

The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCO, Mr. Olumuyiwa Olumekun, said the company would continue investing in technology and operational improvements to enhance efficiency and reliability.

Olumekun added that NAHCO remains focused on maintaining high safety standards and providing quality handling solutions that support airline operations and strengthen connectivity across Africa.