NAHCo controls 90% of aviation mkt share-MD

Despite the economic depression, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) said it is still firmly in control of market share in the aviation ground handling business.

The Managing Director of NAHCO and Chief Executive Officer of NAHCO, Norbert Bielderman while briefing the media today said the firm has 80 per cent of domestic airlines in its fold and 90 per cent of international market comprising big international carriers.

He said the two carriers that are not handled by the firm are Arik and Medview, stressing that they are opening more stations across the nation like Yola, Maiduguri and Birnin Kebbi among other states.

He stated that contrary to the incorrect impression being made that NAHCo is losing business, saying that was not correct.

NAHCo, according to him has made more businesses since coming into office of the management.

As regards Ethiopian Airways, they did not lose Ethiopian Airways’ cargo to competition. The genesis of what is called ‘loss’ in this regard had to do with global General Sales Service Agent (GSSA) agreement with DHL.

He noted that what this means is that all cargoes on Ethiopian are being handled by DHL on behalf of Ethiopian cargoes.

 His words, “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 airlines are handled by NAHCO. This year , we have RwandAir, Mid African Airlines, Mainstream Aviation, Cronosand others we took over without losing any customer.”

He admitted that recession has impacted seriously on their operations, adding that one of its customers, Aero Contractors had left, stressing that the gap left by Aero has been filled by other carriers.

The NAHCO boss said they have introduced serious cost control to manage their operations, noting that the management now look at every kobo twice before spending by monitoring the consumption of diesels and other things that brings down cost.

He disclosed that NAHCo’s revenue and profits went down last year, but stated that they are looking at additional way of generating income.

He reiterated that the fact that they are doing this much does not mean that they cannot do better.

“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 airlines 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.”