2022 Hajj: NAHCON, 3 Airlines Signs Pact To Lift Pilgrims

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has on Friday signed a Hajj airlift agreement with three successful airlines as preparations for the 2022 Hajj enter top gear.

The chosen carriers comprise two indigenous airlines, Max Air and Azman Air while FlyNas is a Saudi Arabia-based airline, satisfying the airlift quota sharing formula between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other Hajj participating countries.

Speaking during the agreement signing on Friday, NAHCON Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, disclosed that the Commission’s advance team would leave for Saudi Arabia on Monday, June 6, with the inaugural flight commencing on Thursday, June 9 from Maiduguri, Borno State.

Hassan, who congratulated the successful airlines, urged them to offer all pilgrims VIP treatment which they deserve, describing the contract signing occasion as the beginning of Hajj operations because there cannot be Hajj without air transportation from Nigeria

Also speaking at the occasion, NAHCON Commissioner Operations, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa, described the event as an epoch after almost three years without Hajj.

He also congratulated the successful carriers, while directing them to see this as a challenge to do their best.

Hardawa ssid NAHCON had created an aviation monitoring committee saddled with the responsibility of monitoring the Airlines’ performances.

A statement by the Assistant Director, Public Affairs, NAHCON, Fatima Sanda Usara, explained that seven airlines had initially applied for the airlifting slots.

The list included Max Air, FlyNas, Azman Air, and Med-View Airline. Others were Skypower Express; Westlink Airlines and Arik Air,

The NAHCON spokesperson said in the exercise, those selected ranked the best three and their names were forwarded to the presidency for approval before sealing the contract agreement.

According to her, Max Air would be airlifting pilgrims from 13 states: Adamawa; Bauchi; Benue; Borno; Gombe; Jigawa; Katsina; Kogi; Kwara; Nasarawa; Niger; Plateau and Taraba.

Azman Air is entrusted with the conveyance of pilgrims from 16 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.

She further disclosed that FlyNas would fly pilgrims from Edo; FCT- Abuja; Lagos; Osun; Oyo; Sokoto; Kebbi and Zamfara.

The Public Affairs director said a formal request for Nigeria to have additional slots has been presented to the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, adding the Commission was still awaiting any response.

Usara stated that of the 43,008 slots allocated to Nigeria, 71 percent went to states pilgrims, 21 percent to Licensed Tour Operators, while eight (8) percent is for medical officials, security, aviation industry and other pilgrims’ assistants.