Aviation handling companies in the country had a very tough year in 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Managing Director of Skyway Aviation Handling Plc , Basil Agboarumi, told THISDAY that handling companies faced same challenges airlines are facing, insisting that the situation was even worse for handling companies because they have not been allowed to increase the cost of their services, which follows processes and approvals, unlike the airlines that have increased ticket prices in response to economic realities.
“All our equipment is produced abroad. Forex is hard to get because our revenue is in Naira. Airlines recently increased ticket fares in tandem with the economic realities on ground but we cannot do so, unless we receive approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority . Also the Chief Executive Officer of Mainstream Cargo Limited, Seyi Adewale said that Nigeria’s aviation ground handling companies who earn income through aircraft turnaround and passenger services may end the fourth quarter of 2020 financial results in the negative, adding that they have already posted Q3 financial losses.
However, the Association of Aviation Ground Handlers , made up of Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc, the Skyway Aviation Handling Company and Aviation Handling Services had forecasted N20 billion loss in revenue generations in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which devastated global economy since the beginning of the year.
Tough times for Passengers pockets with their aviation ticket fare. Let's start it together.