Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) PLC has won a major contract to provide ground handling services for Italian airline NeosAir, which launched weekly flights from Milan Malpensa Airport to Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, Nigeria. The service, which began on October 30, 2024, reconnects Italy and Nigeria after a hiatus in direct air travel, following the exit of Alitalia from the route several years ago.
Under this new partnership, SAHCO will be responsible for a comprehensive range of ground services, including ramp handling, passenger assistance, baggage handling, cargo management, and aircraft cleaning. SAHCO has committed to using its state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained personnel to support NeosAir’s operations, ensuring efficient, timely turnarounds at MMIA.
According to SAHCO’s Chairman, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi (CON), the partnership with NeosAir underscores the Italian carrier’s trust in SAHCO’s capabilities and dedication to world-class service delivery. Afolabi noted that SAHCO holds ISAGO and RA3 certifications, authorizing it to manage Europe-bound cargo and handle shipments arriving from Europe, thereby streamlining logistics for NeosAir.
The inaugural NeosAir flight was welcomed in Lagos by dignitaries from both nations, including representatives of Nigeria’s aviation sector and the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development. Minister Festus Keyamo, represented by Hassan Ejibunu, Director in the ministry, praised the airline’s entry into the Nigerian market as a significant milestone. Keyamo noted that the addition of NeosAir aligns with the administration’s efforts to expand foreign investment in Nigeria’s aviation sector, a move that promises to boost job creation and enhance the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Minister Keyamo also highlighted the diplomatic efforts that facilitated NeosAir’s entry into the Nigerian market, crediting the collaborative work between Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Italian Embassy in Nigeria, and local partners like Skymaster Achievers International Services Ltd., which represents NeosAir in Nigeria. This direct route, according to Keyamo, simplifies travel and economic connections between Nigeria and Italy, creating a seamless channel for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.
Further reinforcing this sentiment, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, hailed the launch as a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria-Italy relations. Represented by Alex Kefas, Director of the European Affairs Division, Tuggar noted that the new Milan-Lagos route would benefit both nations’ economies by supporting import and export activities for Nigerian businesses. The direct connection offers greater convenience for Nigerians with business interests in Italy and enhances Nigeria’s access to European markets.
NeosAir, a subsidiary of the Alpitour Group based in Somma Lombardo, Lombardy, Italy, operates flights across Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America. Its entry into the Nigerian aviation landscape adds to SAHCO’s portfolio of international airlines, further establishing SAHCO’s reputation as a premier ground handling provider in West Africa.
