Yemisi Izuora
The Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja Station has passed the International Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO), conducted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
A statement signed by the organisation’s General Manager, Corporate Communications, Basil Agboarumi, said that SAHCOL, at the Nnamdi Aiki we Airport, Abuja has now modeled its operations to the ISAGO standards, as a result making a commitment to operate to globally accepted industry best practices.
The registration according to the statement shall be valid till January 2017, in accordance with the provisions of the ISAGO Program Manual is to cover the operational disciplines of Organizational and Management(ORM), Load Control (LOD), Passenger and Baggage Handling (PAB), Aircraft Handling and loading (HDL), Aircraft Ground Movement (AGM), and Cargo and Mail Handling (CGM).
He said that SAHCOL’s Lagos Station was first certified in 2011, and recertified in 2013. The certification of the Abuja Station, now brings to two the number of SAHCOL stations admitted on the IATA website as an “ISAGO Registered Provider”, having undergone an ISAGO Audit and cleared all findings..
The ISAGO audit, which is modeled after the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) for airlines, is conducted in a standardized and consistent manner, utilizing internationally recognized quality auditing principles, aiming to improve safety and cut airline costs by drastically reducing ground accidents and injuries.
Agbaroami said that the benefits of ISAGO are enormous, amongst which are; elimination of redundant audits, less damage and less audits, uniform audit process and harmonized standards , improved safety oversight , harmonized auditor training and qualifications , improved quality standards as well as the enhancement of the understanding of high risk areas within ground operations.
He added that SAHCOL is resolved to provide quality and efficient Passenger, Ramp and Cargo Handling Services in line with best practices and the highest International Standards to the delight of its customers and benefits of all Stakeholders, utilizing State-of-the-art equipment, skills, procedures and facilities, and employing a dedicated workforce in all its operational bases.
“SAHCOL is poised to become a reference point where the efficiency of a successful flight operation is born. Hence, in addition to the completion of an ultramodern first-of-its-kind Custom Bonded Cargo Warehouse at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, SAHCOL is committed to ensuring that ground handling to its customers is seamless”. He said.