SAHCO acquires emergency evacuation chair for passengers with reduced mobility

Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Plc on Tuesday announced the acquisition of emergency evacuation chairs (EVAC+CHAIR) aimed at improving accessibility and emergency response for passengers with reduced mobility.

This is contained in a statement in Lagos by the Head of Corporate Communications at SAHCO, Mrs Vanessa Uansohia.

Uansohia said that speaking on behalf of the Chairman of SAHCO, Dr Taiwo Afolabi, the Managing Director, Mrs Adenike Aboderin, said that the acquisition was the first by an aviation ground handling company in Nigeria.

Aboderin said the equipment was designed to provide safe and dignified assistance to passengers during boarding, disembarkation and emergency evacuations.

According to her, the EVAC+CHAIR, widely used internationally since 1982, is designed to move passengers safely on stairways using a gravity and friction control system that reduces the need for manual lifting by operators.

She added that it was equipped with secure harnesses, rubber track systems and an ergonomic design.

According to her, the chair enables trained personnel to assist passengers who are unable to move independently.

She noted that the acquisition reflected the company’s commitment to inclusive service delivery and world-class standards.

According to her, the investment is part of SAHCO’s strategy to ensure that air travel remains accessible, safe and comfortable for all passengers, regardless of their physical abilities.

“At SAHCO, we believe that air travel should be accessible, safe and comfortable for everyone.

“This investment demonstrates our commitment to inclusive service delivery by ensuring that passengers with reduced mobility receive the highest level of care, dignity and professional assistance,” she said.

Aboderin added that the company would continue investing in modern equipment and innovative solutions that improve safety, operational efficiency and customer experience, while maintaining international best practices across its operations.

She noted that the latest acquisition further strengthened SAHCO’s position as a preferred ground handling partner for airlines operating into Nigeria.

The company recalled that in 2025 it became the first ground handling company in Nigeria to acquire the Rapiscan Itemiser 5X, an advanced Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) system recommended by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for detecting explosives and narcotics.

SAHCO said its sustained investments in modern ground support equipment, advanced technology, staff training and internationally recognised safety standards have continued to improve aircraft turnaround times and operational efficiency for airline customers.