SACHO Seeks Pioneer Status for Aviation, Urges Tax Waivers and Single-Digit Loans for Ground Handlers
Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SACHO) has called on the Federal Government to designate aviation as a pioneer industry, a move it says would enable ground handling companies to benefit from critical tax waivers and incentives on imported equipment and spare parts.
Managing Director of SACHO, Mrs. Adenike Aboderin, made the appeal on Sunday during a Gateway Forum organised by aviation correspondents in Lagos, where she highlighted the growing financial burden faced by ground handlers in maintaining globally compliant operations.
According to Aboderin, the high cost of purchasing and importing modern ground handling equipment is not matched by the fees paid by airlines for handling services. She revealed that in the last two quarters alone, SACHO spent nearly five million euros on equipment procurement, with each unit costing approximately 150,000 euros.
“We need government’s support on tax waivers, incentives on both equipment and spare parts, and then single-digit long-term interest loans,” she said. “Airlines have been included in some of these benefits, but not the ground handlers. Government needs to support the sub-sector and consider aviation a pioneer industry.”
Despite these challenges, Aboderin noted that SACHO has strengthened its financial resilience and positioned itself for future growth through strategic investments in operational efficiency, technology, staff capacity building and strong partnerships.
She disclosed that the company has achieved about 27 per cent in annual cost savings by deploying new technologies and improving internal processes.
“Our focus is to expand our market. Currently, we operate in 21 airports nationwide and provide services to 25 domestic and international airlines,” she said.
As part of its sustainability drive, SACHO has begun investing in environmentally friendly initiatives, including the introduction of electric ground support equipment and the implementation of an environmental management system based on ISO 14001 standards to enhance compliance and quality control.
The managing director also announced that the company is diversifying into other sectors, with plans to launch SACHO Helicopter Services to cater to the oil and gas industry, tourism and other related sectors.
She assured stakeholders that the company maintains a high standard of professionalism, stressing that all staff are properly screened and trained before deployment, while staff welfare remains a top priority.
Aboderin further advocated stronger government support for small businesses in Nigeria’s export value chain to boost foreign exchange earnings. She also disclosed that SACHO is currently collaborating with other ground handling firms to create a unified approach against airline debt defaults.
“Any airline that defaults with one handler will not be allowed to engage another until outstanding debts are settled,” she said.
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In addition, she revealed that the company has acquired land in Lagos for the development of five major projects, including an aviation school, a training centre, a warehouse, a hotel and a hostel, which are expected to commence soon.
The initiative, she said, is part of SACHO’s long-term vision to strengthen capacity, enhance industry standards and support the overall growth of Nigeria’s aviation sector.
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