SAHCO-Air Algeria Pact Opens New North-West Africa Travel Corridor

Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) has secured a major contract with Air Algeria, promising exciting new travel opportunities across North and West Africa. This partnership will see SAHCO providing full ground handling services for Air Algeria’s bi-weekly flights between Abuja and Algiers, enhancing connectivity and creating a valuable new travel corridor for African travel agents.

This collaboration marks a significant step towards strengthening travel links between two key African regions. SAHCO’s expertise in ground handling, combined with Air Algeria’s expanding route network, will facilitate smoother and more efficient travel experiences for passengers, opening up new possibilities for both business and leisure travel. Travel agents can leverage this enhanced connectivity to craft unique itineraries, combining destinations in North and West Africa, and tap into a growing market for cross-regional travel.

SAHCO, renowned for its commitment to safety and efficiency, will manage all ground operations for Air Algeria at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. This includes ramp handling, passenger and baggage services, cargo handling, aircraft cleaning, and other essential support functions. SAHCO’s experienced team and modern equipment will ensure seamless turnarounds for Air Algeria’s flights, minimizing delays and maximizing passenger satisfaction. This focus on operational excellence provides travel agents with a reliable and efficient ground handling partner, enhancing their ability to deliver high-quality travel experiences.

Mrs. Adenike Aboderin, SAHCO’s Managing Director/CEO, expressed confidence in the partnership, highlighting Air Algeria’s trust in SAHCO’s capabilities. This collaboration aligns with SAHCO’s strategic vision to expand its presence across Africa and enhance connectivity between Nigeria and other nations. This strategic focus on regional growth creates a positive outlook for African travel agents, offering new opportunities to expand their businesses and cater to a wider range of travel demands.

The Abuja-Algiers route, serviced by Air Algeria’s Boeing 737-600 aircraft, offers a maximum annual passenger capacity of 13,520. With a projected average load factor of 75%, the route is expected to facilitate around 10,140 passengers annually. This substantial passenger volume presents a significant opportunity for travel agents, who can leverage this increased traffic to boost their sales and expand their client base.

The route also offers considerable cargo capacity, with a maximum annual potential of 156 tons. Based on the projected 75% load factor, the expected annual cargo volume is estimated at 117 tons. This substantial cargo capacity opens up new avenues for businesses engaged in trade between Nigeria and Algeria, creating further opportunities for travel agents to facilitate cargo transportation and logistics services.

SAHCO’s partnership with Air Algeria is projected to generate significant economic benefits, with an estimated initial annual revenue of \$1.56 million. Based on historical data and industry trends, this revenue is projected to grow by 46.9% over the next five years, reaching \$2.29 million. This positive economic outlook underscores the partnership's potential to stimulate growth in the travel and tourism sectors, offering African travel agents a lucrative market to explore.

The collaboration is also expected to drive improvements in operational efficiency. By leveraging SAHCO’s expertise and modern equipment, Air Algeria can reduce average turnaround times by an estimated 22.6% over the next five years, enhancing operational efficiency and minimizing delays. This improved efficiency translates into smoother travel experiences for passengers and increased reliability for travel agents.

The partnership’s positive impact is also expected to extend to the travel agent network. Based on historical data, the collaboration is projected to fuel a 76.2% growth in the number of active travel agents over the next five years. This expansion of the travel agent network signifies a growing market and increased demand for travel services, creating a wealth of opportunities for African travel professionals.