By David Aknimola
The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO) has posted its best-ever half-year financial performance, signaling a strong earnings outlook and renewed investor confidence in the ground-handling giant.
The company reported robust growth in both revenue and profit for the first half of 2025, buoyed by increased air traffic, expansion of service offerings, and operational efficiency. This impressive showing comes amid a challenging macroeconomic environment and reinforces NAHCO’s position as a key player in Nigeria’s aviation value chain.
According to its unaudited financial results filed with the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), NAHCO’s revenue rose significantly to ₦13.4 billion for the six-month period ended June 30, 2025, representing a 36% increase compared to ₦9.85 billion recorded in the same period last year. The company also saw its profit before tax climb to ₦3.1 billion, up from ₦2.2 billion in H1 2024, reflecting improved margins and cost optimization strategies.
NAHCO’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Indranil Gupta, attributed the stellar results to disciplined execution of strategic priorities, investment in infrastructure, and customer-centric innovation. “We’ve focused on strengthening our core operations while embracing digitisation and service quality improvements that resonate with our airline partners and cargo clients,” Gupta said.
He also noted that the first-half results are a clear indication of NAHCO’s resilience and future potential, especially as Nigeria’s aviation sector continues to recover from global disruptions and local operational bottlenecks.
Analysts say the strong numbers bolster the company’s outlook for the rest of 2025 and may pave the way for improved dividend payouts at year-end. “NAHCO’s half-year performance is a major signal of positive earnings momentum,” said Bola Kareem, aviation sector analyst at Vetiva Capital. “If this growth trajectory is sustained, we may see the firm exceed full-year market expectations.”
Beyond financial metrics, the company has continued to invest in fleet renewal, technology upgrades, and staff training to meet global service standards and attract more international partnerships.
NAHCO currently provides ground handling services to major domestic and international airlines operating in Nigeria and has expanded into cargo warehousing, passenger handling, and other aviation logistics support services. The company’s performance also reflects growing volumes in both passenger and cargo segments across Nigerian airports, especially in Lagos and Abuja.
Industry watchers say NAHCO’s success could encourage more investments into the sector and serve as a benchmark for operational excellence amid a difficult economic climate.
With momentum from its record first-half performance, NAHCO appears well-positioned to close the year with strong numbers, further solidifying its reputation as a dependable player in Nigeria’s aviation industry.
