SAHCO deepens aviation investment with high-capacity AmbuLift

Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc has strengthened its passenger-handling infrastructure with the acquisition of a high-capacity AmbuLift, expanding Nigeria’s capacity to provide specialised ground services for passengers with reduced mobility.

The investment, which makes SAHCO the sole ground handling company in Nigeria to own and operate the equipment, is part of the company’s broader effort to improve service standards and align its operations with international aviation requirements.

The hydraulic AmbuLift is designed to lift an enclosed passenger cabin to aircraft-door level, allowing wheelchair users, stretcher passengers and other travellers requiring assistance to board and disembark safely, particularly at remote aircraft stands where passenger boarding bridges are unavailable.

For Nigeria’s aviation industry, the investment addresses an important part of the passenger experience that has become increasingly relevant as international airlines and airports place greater emphasis on accessibility, safety and service quality.

The equipment complements SAHCO’s earlier acquisition of Evac-Chairs for assisting passengers with reduced mobility on aircraft stairs, giving the company a wider range of specialised equipment for handling passengers requiring additional support.

Chairman of SAHCO, Taiwo Afolabi, said the investment would allow the company to provide specialised services with appropriate equipment rather than relying on improvised arrangements.

He said the equipment would improve operational response while giving passengers and their families greater confidence in the handling process from the airport apron to the aircraft.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SAHCO, Adenike Aboderin, said the investment formed part of the company’s strategy to strengthen its passenger-handling capabilities and deliver safe, dignified and professional services across its operations.

The company said British Airways provided operational guidance during the procurement process to ensure the equipment and deployment procedures were aligned with international airline expectations.

Project advisory, testing, commissioning and functional certification were coordinated by UK-based Expavia Aviation Consultants, while European ground support equipment specialist Ergon Training Center conducted theoretical and practical training for SAHCO personnel.

The operators were also certified under IATA AHM 1110 RMP 14m standards following technical inspections and training at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The investment has wider implications for Nigeria’s aviation competitiveness because the quality of ground handling directly affects airline operations, passenger satisfaction and the ability of airports to meet international service expectations.

As Nigerian airports seek to attract more international traffic and expand their role as regional aviation hubs, specialised ground support equipment can help reduce operational gaps and improve the overall passenger journey.

SAHCO currently provides passenger, baggage, ramp, cargo handling, aviation security and premium lounge services across Nigerian airports.

The AmbuLift acquisition therefore represents more than an equipment purchase. It adds specialised capacity to Nigeria’s aviation ground-handling chain and strengthens the infrastructure required for a more inclusive and internationally competitive air transport market.