Ground handlers Archives - Aviation metric

Ground handlers freeze XEJet operations over N300m unpaid debt, warn other carriers

Posted on September 28, 2026 by Wole Shadare

Ground handling services for indigenous carrier XEJet Airlines came to a sudden halt on Monday after the Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) directed its members to immediately withdraw all ramp support and handling operations over an outstanding debt of about N300 million. The sudden blackout has thrown XEJet’s daily operations into disarray, leaving passenger baggage handling and aircraft ramp services stranded. To cushion the immediate impact, the airline scrambled emergency measures, including diverting…

Ground handlers to suspend services to two major domestic airlines over mounting debt

Posted on September 9, 2026September 9, 2026 by Wole Shadare

The Association of Ground Handling Companies of Nigeria (AGHAN) has issued a stern directive to its member companies to issue a seven-day notice of service suspension to two major domestic airlines over severe, prolonged debt accumulation. Over 70% of the total indebtedness is owed by just two major domestic airlines (names withheld) The sector also carries unrecoverable debts left behind by defunct or suspended airlines like Air Nigeria and Dana Air that shut down operations…

₦9bn Debt: Ground Handlers Move to Halt Operations, Airlines Risk Service Disruption

Posted on May 4, 2026May 4, 2026 by Wole Shadare

Operators’ silence irks AGHAN The Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) has escalated its standoff with domestic airlines, moving toward withdrawing services due to an outstanding debt exceeding ₦9 billion. The five major handling companies involved are NAHCO, SAHCO, Butake, Precision, and Swissport. If services are withdrawn, both domestic and international flight operations across Nigeria will face near-total disruption, as these firms provide the critical ground support required for any flight to depart or arrive. Following the expiration of…

Ground Handlers: Battling high charges amid existential threat

Posted on October 29, 2024 by Wole Shadare

The aviation ground handling sector is at a crossroads. Its survival can no longer be sustained with the current handling charges. They face an existential threat, writes, WOLE SHADARE Critical role Ground handling plays a crucial role in the aviation industry. It encompasses various services provided on the ground to ensure the smooth operation of flights. In aviation, the term “ground handling” refers to the wide range of services provided to facilitate an aircraft flight or…

Ground handlers propose N400, 000 for B737, N250 for CRJ rates per flight

Posted on February 28, 2024February 28, 2024 by Wole Shadare

Only rates review i’ll sustain handling companies-Stakeholders Business organisations in the Nigerian aviation industry are suffocating and need government intervention to remain alive. This is as ground handling companies in the country have declared that the current handling rates charged by airlines, especially the domestic operators, were no longer sustainable, fearing that if not reviewed upward in the next few months, the sub-sector may collapse totally. Handling companies through the Aviation Ground Handlers…