The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says the airlifting of the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2022 Hajj will commence on 9 June.
The Chairman of the commission Alhaji Zikirullah Hassan, made the announcement, in Abuja at the signing of an agreement between NAHCON and three airlines approved to transport Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Alhaji Hassan disclosed that the three air carriers that were approved by the Nigerian Government through the commission were the Azman Air, Max Air and Flynas (Saudi Arabia designated air line).
He urged the airlines to give quality service in line with the standard known in the aviation industry and treat all pilgrims as important personalities.
“For us today is indeed historic because it is the beginning of the hajj operation of 2022. It is clear to all of us that without flight there can be no Hajj for people living outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Intending pilgrims must get to Saudi Arabia before they can perform hajj. For that reason flight is key and very important,” he said.
The Chairman congratulated the successful airlines and encouraged those that were not selected to try another time.
“Permit me to use this opportunity to congratulate the successful air carriers all of whom have been with the Commission struggle.
”We also hope that those air carriers who didn’t succeed this year will have a better chance some other time,” he said.
Seven airlines; Max Air, FlyNas, Azman Air, Med-View Airline, Skypower Express, Westlink Airlines and Arik Air, applied for screening.
Max Air is to airlift pilgrims from thirteen states namely-Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and Taraba.
Azman Air is entrusted with the transportation of pilgrims from sixteen states and the Armed Forces.
The states are Kano, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna, Ogun, Ondo, Rivers, and Yobe.
While FlyNas would airlift pilgrims from Edo, FCT- Abuja, Lagos, Osun, Oyo, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara- making eight states.
The Chairman also revealed that by Monday, June 6, the Commission’s advance team would be proceeding to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Confidence Okwuchi
