Although Nigerian Aviation Handling Company PLC (Nahco Aviance) was incorporated as a Limited Liability company on December 6th 1979 under the Nigerian Enterprise Promotion Decree, it actually started operations in April 1979 with the commissioning of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The Federal Government through Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) was vested with 60% equity holding while four foreign airlines namely; Air France, British Airways, Sabena and Lufthansa shared the remaining 40% in various ratios. 

The company is now a fully privatized public concern owned by over 80,000 individual shareholders, three foreign airlines and Rosehill Group Nigeria Limited. Its current share ownership structure is as follows:

	Nigerian Public	68%
	Air France	5.8%
	British Airways	10.7%
	Rosehill Group Nigeria Ltd	9.5%
	Lufthansa	6.0%

Nahco aviance's privatization took effect in August 2005 in response to the privatization policy of the Federal Government of Nigeria. 60% of the Company's shares which were held by Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on behalf of the Federal Government were accordingly offered for sale to the public by the Bureau for Public Enterprises at N5.50 per share through an Initial Public Offer. The 180 million ordinary shares were fully bought up. On November 27, 2006, Nahco Aviance's shares were listed on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. 

Since its privatization, Nahco Aviance has developed strategic global alliances through its membership of aviance, the first ever international alliance of 10 reputable airport service providers operating from 112 stations in 17 countries and The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA).