NAN-H-23
NAHCO
By Adekunle Williams/Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Nov.9, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO), says it is still firmly in control of the majority market shares in the aviation ground handling business.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Norbert Bielderman, Managing Director, NAHCO made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos.
He spoke against the backdrop of allegations that the company’s fortunes were taking a downturn.
Bielderman said despite the economic recession in the country, the firm had 80 per cent of domestic airlines in its fold and 90 per cent of international market, comprising big international carriers.
He said:”We have 80 per cent of the domestic carriers. Only Arik and Medview we do not handle.
“We are opening stations all over the country and have 1, 744 staff strength. We have over 300 casuals and members of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and others.
“We have 90 per cent of international market and we are still growing. Those we don’t handle are South African Airways and Etihad. Every other airline is handled by NAHCO.
“This year, we have RwandaAir, Mid African Airlines, Mainstream Aviation, Cronosand and others we took over without losing any customer.”
Bielderman said though the recession had impacted on their operations, the gap left by one of its customers, Aero Contractors, which had left, had been filled by other carriers.
“It is just that we have to be realistic in our expectations. The truth is that the Nigerian economy is generally not doing very well.
“The current recession is not going to isolate anyone. As you may have noticed, many airlines are pulling out of Nigeria. A lot more are reducing the number of their flights into the country.
“Only recently, the Federal Government had to come out to beg departing foreign airlines to come back. This is not the best of times for the aviation sector in Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)
WAC/ASO/SOA
=================
Edited by Oluwole Sogunle