Five years after exiting the Nigerian airspace, United Airlines has announced it will be making a long overdue return in November.
The Group Executive Director, Business Development and Commercial, Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, Saheed Lasisi, disclosed this in a statement made available to Financial Street on Wednesday.
According to NAHCO, it will be handling the airline’s contracts for the next three years, adding that it is the preferred partner, providing passenger and ground handling services.
Recall that United Airlines exited Nigeria in 2016 following challenges with oil prices and a flailing economy.
The Lagos – Houston route, which was once a favourite especially for oil sector workers and executives, has suffered a major decline in patronage.
In addition, airlines operating in Nigeria at the time faced a hard time with foreign exchange restrictions.
Lasisi, who expressed excitement on the development, described it as a boost for the industry.
“NAHCO is excited to be the chosen one; we welcome United Airlines back to our airspace, and we are ever ready to provide the airline quality handling at all times, as being currently provided to our numerous client airlines,’’ he said.
In the same vein, the company recently signed a five-year contract with Qatar Airways in Abuja, as well as renewed the Lagos contract for another five years.
“With the new contracts, which run for five years and coupled with the additional frequencies of Qatar flights to Nigeria and Ghana, we are glad to go even further to provide top-notch services for which we are known and have offered the airline for the past nine years.’’
The newly renewed contracts cover all service areas, as it will see NAHCO provide passenger, cargo, and ground handling services to Qatar Airways. It also includes the provision of crew transportation and other ancillary services to the respected airliner.
