SAHCO Acquires AmbuLift to Become Nigeria's First Ground Handler to Operate the Specialised PRM Equipment

SAHCO has acquired and deployed an AmbuLift, becoming the only ground handling company in Nigeria to own and operate the specialised equipment for passengers with reduced mobility (PRM). The AmbuLift uses a hydraulic lifting system that raises an enclosed passenger cabin to aircraft door level, allowing safe transfer of passengers between the apron and the aircraft, and is particularly useful at remote stands where boarding bridges are unavailable. It is designed to assist wheelchair users and passengers requiring stretcher support.

The acquisition builds on SAHCO's earlier investment in Evac-Chairs, used to move PRM passengers on aircraft steps, and the company said the two pieces of equipment would complement each other to strengthen its PRM handling capability. SAHCO Chairman Dr Taiwo Afolabi, CON, said owning and operating the AmbuLift means the company can respond directly to the needs of passengers with reduced mobility rather than improvising, adding it would give passengers and families greater confidence in the handling process. Managing Director and CEO Mrs Adenike Aboderin called the AmbuLift a significant addition to SAHCO's operations and said the investment reflected the company's commitment to aligning with international standards.

Expavia Aviation Consultants, a UK-based aviation consultancy, provided project advisory and coordination support covering testing, commissioning, certification and training. Ergon Training Center, a European ground support equipment specialist, delivered theoretical and practical training for designated SAHCO personnel. Training and technical inspections were carried out at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. British Airways, described by SAHCO as one of its premium customers, provided guidance during the acquisition and deployment process to help ensure alignment with global best practices and the expectations of international carriers.

This acquisition fits into a broader pattern of ground handlers investing in dedicated PRM equipment to reduce reliance on improvised arrangements and to meet the expectations of international carriers operating into markets where infrastructure such as boarding bridges may be limited. Ground handling contracts increasingly hinge on demonstrable compliance capability, and equipment like an AmbuLift becomes a differentiator when bidding for premium carrier business at airports with remote stands.

The involvement of a UK consultancy, a European training specialist, and guidance from British Airways illustrates how certification and training pathways for specialised ground equipment often depend on cross-border technical support rather than purely domestic capability. Whether SAHCO's certified AmbuLift operators expand this capability to other Nigerian airports, and whether other ground handlers follow with similar investments, will indicate how quickly PRM handling standards shift across the market.