January 06, (THEWILL) – Two domestic airlines, Air Peace and Max Air, have secured the Federal Government’s approval to airlift intending pilgrims for the 2024 hajj exercise.
Also, Flynas, a private Saudi low-cost airline with its headquarters in Riyadh, has equally been approved for the 2024 Hajj operations.
A statement by the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Fatima Sanda Usara, on Friday, said, “The Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially granted approval to three distinguished airlines to serve as exclusive carriers for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage, they are Air Peace Ltd., FlyNas and Max Air.”
Usara stated that the government also approved three other air cargo companies that will airfreight pilgrims’ excess luggage. “They are Cargo Zeal Technologies Ltd, Nahco Aviance and Qualla Investment Limited,” she said.
She stated that the approval reinforces the government’s commitment to ensuring a seamless and secure pilgrimage experience for Nigerian intending pilgrims.
She said, “Consequently, the Federal Government concurrently approved the allocation of pilgrims from various states to each of the approved airlines as follows: Air Peace is to transport intending pilgrims from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, FCT, Imo, Kwara, Ondo and Rivers States.
“FlyNas will airlift Muslim pilgrims from Borno, Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe and Zamfara States.
“Max Air with the highest allocation will be responsible for moving pilgrims from Bauchi, Benue, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Oyo, Taraba, Kaduna, Armed Forces, Gombe, Jigawa and Plateau States.”
Usara stated that the allocation of pilgrims to the airlines was in line with the subsisting Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia on airlift of pilgrims under government quota.
“However, state governments may choose to designate any of the approved freight companies to convey their pilgrims’ excess luggage. Should any state enter such an exclusive arrangement, the decision should be communicated to the Commission accordingly,” she said.
She added that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, is set to lead a delegation from NAHCON to partake in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage on January 7, 2024.
“The Chairman of the Commission, Malam Jalal Arabi, congratulated the approved airlines on their selection and called on them to gear up to facilitate a smooth pilgrimage in the 2024 season. NAHCON remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards in pilgrimage organisation, with a focus on the safety and satisfaction of pilgrims,” she said.
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
