Posted by By Simon Ateba on
Dana Air, the recently licensed domestic airline operator, has chosen the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company PLC (NAHCo) to provide a wide range of specialised ground handling services for its operations on the Lagos-Abuja route.
Dana Air, the recently licensed domestic airline operator, has chosen the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company PLC (NAHCo) to provide a wide range of specialised ground handling services for its operations on the Lagos-Abuja route. Representatives of the two companies have signed an agreement to this effect in Lagos.
Dana Air will operate 24 flights a week into and out of Abuja; four flights daily from Monday to Friday, and two flights on Saturdays and Sundays, using its two new MD83 aircraft. NAHCo will provide ramp services (aircraft handling operations) for these flights which will commence in September 2008.
Mr. Jacky Hathiramani, Managing Director of Dana Air, said having inspected NAHCo's equipment and reviewed its operations, Dana Air is satisfied with doing business with NAHCo. He said NAHCo's reputation as Nigeria's leading ground handling company fits into Dana Air's ambition of becoming one of Nigeria's leading airlines within the shortest possible time.
Commenting on the new partnership, Demola Akinbola, NAHCo's Head of Corporate Communication and Business Development, noted that Dana is a well established and respected brand in Nigeria. According to him, NAHCo and Dana Air will work together to offer passengers value for money.
He disclosed that NAHCO was working to expand its customer base among domestic and international carriers, adding that talks were nearing conclusion on the handling of a couple of other leading airlines. NAHCO already handles over 75 per cent of the domestic and international airlines operating in Nigeria. Some of its clients include British Airways, Delta Air, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Nigeria, Lufthansa, Air France, South African Airways, Ethiopian Air, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Alitalia.
Meanwhile, NAHCO has opened talks with best practice organisations with a view to collaborating with them and consolidating its expansion plans into the West African region before the end of the year. This is with a view to making the company an international brand.