The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc has expanded its operations by renewing major international airline contracts and securing a fresh agreement with FlyGabon, while pushing into the export logistics market with solar cell shipments to the United States. The aviation ground handler announced the developments in a corporate statement, confirming contract extensions with Qatar Airways, Saudia Airlines, and ASKY Airlines.

The new three-year agreement with FlyGabon aligns with the carrier’s entry into the Nigerian market. The airline is establishing routes to improve air connectivity across West, Central, and Southern Africa. Meanwhile, NAHCO’s long-standing partnership with Qatar Airways was extended for another three years, while Saudia Airlines renewed its contract for five years. Regional operator ASKY Airlines also committed to a three-year extension.

NAHCO expands into solar export logistics

Beyond traditional passenger and aircraft ground handling, the company is now processing solar cell exports from Nigeria to the U.S. capital and industrial hubs. BGE (Nigeria) Solar FZE launched the export program in January 2026, utilizing NAHCO’s specialized cargo infrastructure in Lagos.

The initial shipments moved through major international carriers including Lufthansa, Ethiopian Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and DHL. Freight forwarding partners Access Freight and Ideal Royal managed the logistics for the consignments, which ranged between 20 and 50 tonnes. NAHCO manages the end-to-end cargo services for the solar project, overseeing cargo acceptance, warehousing, build-up, and export processing.

These agreements build on a series of partnerships finalized by NAHCO over the past few months. Earlier this year, the company secured service agreements with Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and RwandAir, alongside smaller operators such as Sky 7, Pioneer, Avia Green, Benani, and the Aviation Clearing House.

Tech overhauls optimize NAHCO precision scheduling

Saheed Lasisi, Group Executive Director of Commercial and Business Development, stated that the new agreements reflect the market’s trust in the company’s service quality. “We are fully prepared to exceed the expectations of these new partners, drawing on more than 47 years of service to maintain our operational standards,” Lasisi said. He added that the commitment from both old and new airline partners shows the company’s strong position in the regional market.

Olumuyiwa Olumekun, CEO of NAHCO, stated that the company is focusing on infrastructure upgrades and technology to improve daily operations for clients and shareholders. “We remain committed to a strategy that prioritizes operational discipline and stakeholder satisfaction, ensuring that NAHCO maintains strict safety and reliability standards in African aviation,” Olumekun said. He noted that upgrading ground technology will help the company meet the strict scheduling and precision requirements of international commercial airlines.