African handler Siginon Aviation is reaping the benefits of operating new GSE acquired recently in a multi-million dollar investment
Siginon Aviation is a ground handler active in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda (it forms part of the Siginon Group, which specialises in end-to-end logistics and cargo handling). It offers ground and cargo handling at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and Eldoret International Airport in Kenya, and is using the newly acquired GSE to support its expanding operations in Nairobi.
The new ramp equipment includes 20-ton maindeck high loaders, 7-ton lower-deck high loaders, pallet transporters, ground power units (GPUs), pushbacks, passenger steps, baggage dollies and conveyor belts.
The units were sourced from a number of well-known GSE manufacturers, including TREPEL, JBT, Houchin (part of ITW GSE), EINSA and MULAG.
Jared Oswago, Siginon Aviation’s acting general manager, informs: “Our goal is to provide our customers with a ramp service that provides safe, secure and excellent turnaround services. Our assurance to our customers is to continuously set high service standards and sustainable growth.”
He tells Airside that the decision to invest in more GSE was “guided by Siginon’s ambition for growth and service delivery as detailed in its corporate strategy for the period 2016-2021.
“We are currently employing the new GSE at our Nairobi station at JKIA and with solid plans to expand our footprints to more markets. We are fortunate to serve both global and regional airlines as our customers; as such, the equipment will be used to deliver world-class ground handling service.”
The GSE is mostly brand new and will be fully owned by Siginon Aviation, Oswago confirms. Moreover, he adds: “As an environmentally conscious enterprise, Siginon Aviation operates equipment that is aligned to our green agenda.
“Quality and safety were other driving and determining factors in the purchasing process. All the units have been fitted with all the necessary safety accessories, including close proximity [sensors] that protect an aircraft’s fuselage” from collisions with GSE.
Siginon Aviation is IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operators (ISAGO) certified, and is currently meeting the requirements of different contracts with various regional and international freighters.
It also has regulated agent third-country validation certification (RA3) from the European Union, and recently adopted Kale Logistics’ Galaxy web-based air cargo management system.
