Aviation

‘SAHCOL’ll Exceed Customers’ Expectation’

Published

12 years ago

February 28, 2014

The Skyway Aviation
Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) has held a four-day management retreat with the chairman of the company, Mr Taiwo Afolabi, urging staff to aim towards exceeding customers’ expectation.
The retreat which was held at Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, was attended by executive and middle level managers of SAHCOL with the theme: ‘Exceeding Customers Expectations In 2014 And Beyond.
Thanking staff for their efforts in 2013 and in the past years, since the takeover of SAHCOL by the Sifax Group, Mr Afolabi said through collective efforts of all, the company has lived and continued to take steady steps in the direction of its vision.
Mr Afolabi stressed that though SAHCOL is nowhere near its destination, he is convinced that by the commitment, loyalty and dedication of staff to duty, the company would get there.
Speaking on the retreat, he said “as service providers, customers are the only reason we are in business today and for us to maintain business tomorrow, our collective efforts must be directed at delivering quality service that will exceed their expectations.”
According to him, “Customers satisfaction is the guarantee that the company will earn revenue which will translate into salaries for staff and profits for shareholders, hence, we must place premium on having them satisfied beyond bounds.”
He promised that the Board remains committed to providing every necessary support both financial and moral that will make SAHCOL emerge as the ground handling of choice and as an organization that caters for the welfare of its employees.
Mr Afolabi challenged the participants that in order to build the organization of choice, they must all be dedicated to their jobs, pay greater attention to customers; display integrity and transparency in all their dealings while working as a team ignited by visionary leadership.
He disclosed that when the Sifax Group invested in SAHCOL in 2009, through the Bureau of Public Entreprises (BPE), the objectives were clear, which were to reverse the trend of decline and build a company that can effectively compete in ground handling not just in Nigeria, but globally and also to provide a platform through which employees would develop expertise and achieve their various ambitions.
According to him, primarily the focus has been on the provision of quality service as well as the welfare of all staff in SAHCOL, stressing that these values have not changed and that the Board is even committed to do more.
The chairman also hinted that the Ultra Modern Cargo Warehouse which will become operational in the second quarter of 2014, with the State-of-the-art and the first of its kind in West Africa would add value to the operations of the company.

Aviation

Togo Govt Scraps It’s Visa Requirements For All African Countries

Published

1 month ago

May 27, 2026

The Tide

The Togolese government has scrapped visa requirements for nationals of all African countries, effective May 18, 2026, meaning Nigerians with valid passports can now enter the country without applying for visa in advance.

African travellers can now stay in Togo visa-free for up to 30 days counting from May 18, 2026.

Visitors must still complete an online pre-arrival registration before entering the country.

The announcement came via the official X handle of Togo’s Ministry of Security, signed by the ministry’s head, Colonel Calixte Batossie Madjoulba.

Under the new policy, eligible African travellers can stay in Togo for up to 30 days without a visa, with the government describing the move as a commitment to Pan-African ideals and regional integration.

Government based the decision within a wider Pan-African agenda, stating that it reaffirms Togo’s attachment to “Pan-African ideals, continental solidarity, and community and African commitments, relating to mobility and regional integration.”

Togo also positioned the move as part of an agenda of “openness, modernisation, and attractiveness” aimed at making the country “a regional hub for services, business, culture, and human exchanges at the heart of Africa.”

There is, however, one step travellers cannot skip. Before arrival, visitors must register on the Togolese government’s official travel portal at voyage.gouv.tg at least 24 hours before reaching the border.

Nigerians can now travel to Togo without applying for a visa in advance.

The registration generates a travel slip that must be presented at entry points across land, air, and sea. The government has been clear that this pre-arrival formality remains mandatory regardless of the visa exemption.

Beyond the registration requirement, standard entry conditions still apply. Security checks, immigration screening, and public health requirements remain in place, and the waiver does not protect travellers who overstay or enter irregularly.

All border agencies have been directed to implement the new policy immediately.

Togo’s decision is part of a broader continental shift. Across Africa, more governments are moving to ease intra-African travel in alignment with the African Continental Free Trade Area’s vision of freer movement of people and goods.

Togo is now among the more accessible West African destinations for Nigerian travellers, a short trip that previously required advance visa processing and now requires nothing more than a passport and a quick online registration the day before you fly.

Aviation

Egypt Flight Moves To Prevent Explosion —- Diverts London Flight To Rome

Published

1 month ago

May 27, 2026

The Tide

An EasyJet flight from Egypt to London was diverted to Rome after a passenger was found with a power bank in checked luggage.

The airline said the diversion was made as a safety precaution due to regulations surrounding lithium-ion batteries.

Passengers landed safely in Rome and were provided accommodation and refreshments after the delay.

The aircraft, operating flight EZY2618 from Hurghada to London Luton, made an unscheduled landing at Rome Fiumicino Airport last Tuesday evening as a precautionary safety measure.

According to the airline, the decision to divert was taken after a passenger informed cabin crew that the portable charger was inside luggage stored in the aircraft’s hold.

Although no fire or malfunction was reported, lithium-ion batteries found in power banks are considered a significant safety risk on aircraft due to the possibility of overheating or catching fire.

Flight tracking data showed the plane cruising at approximately 36,000 feet over the Adriatic Sea before suddenly changing course and heading towards Rome, where it landed safely about 20 minutes later.

Passengers reportedly disembarked without incident, while the flight was rescheduled for the following day.

In a statement, EasyJet apologised for the disruption and said the diversion was carried out in accordance with aviation safety regulations.

“The safety of passengers and crew is our highest priority,” the airline said, adding that hotel accommodation, meals, and refreshments were provided for affected travellers.

“EasyJet’s policies state that power banks are only permitted in cabin baggage and must not be stored in checked luggage.

The airline also prohibits passengers from using power banks to charge devices during flights.

The incident comes as airlines around the world continue tightening restrictions on portable chargers and lithium battery devices amid growing concerns over onboard fire hazards linked to overheating batteries.

Aviation

Delta At 20: Delta Airline Expands Travel Access Ahead 2026 World Cup

Published

1 month ago

May 27, 2026

The Tide

Delta Air Lines has announced a range of travel solutions aimed at easing the journey for Ghanaian football fans planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the United States and North America.

The announcement was made during an event in Accra marking the airline’s 20th anniversary in Ghana, as company officials highlighted plans to work closely with local travel agencies to ensure that fans can access tickets and travel packages well in advance for the global tournament.

According to Delta’s Managing Director for International and Specialty Sales, Rob LeBel, the airline is introducing flexible options tailored to different travel needs.

These include individual ticket purchases, discounted group packages for parties of ten or more, and charter services for larger groups.

He explained that the collaboration with travel agencies would also focus on educating customers about the best ways to secure flights during the expected surge in demand.

To expand travel routes, Delta is leveraging its partnership with European carrier KLM, offering passengers alternative connections through Europe when direct routes are fully booked.

The airline believes the upcoming tournament presents a major opportunity to strengthen travel ties between Ghana and North America, particularly as interest among football fans continues to grow.