Hajj Fare: NAHCON, Airlines Agree $250 Hike
- Attribute development to Sudan crisis
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The Four local airlines scheduled to airlift Nigerian pilgrims for the 2023 Hajj exercise are requesting an increase of $250 to the hajj fare due to the ongoing crisis in Sudan.
Chairman of the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON), Zikrullah Hassan, said the airlines, Air Peace, Azman, Max Air and Aero Contractors, explained that with the current crisis in Sudan, a longer travel time to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would be required.
Speaking at a training exercise organised for staff of NAHCON, state pilgrim boards and private tour operators on Saturday in Abuja, Hassan however assured that the pilgrims would not be burdened by the additional cost.
He told the gathering that; “Our local airlines, after several negotiations, accepted the sum of $250 to the increase in the cost of air ticket for this year’s operation”, adding; “We are still looking for all avenues to resolve the attendant consequence of this money.
“We are still praying earnestly for a quick and peace resolution to the conflict in Sudan so that the airspace could be open and there will be a stop to the mindless killing of the people of Sudan.”
The Commission boss further stated that; “At NAHCON, we are looking for all ways to ensure that we resolve the issue of this additional cost. We have decoded that whatever decision we will take, it will not require the pilgrims to pay additional fund into the hands of the respective pilgrim boards in their state. They will not need to pay more money.”
Explaining that NAHCON has scheduled May 25 for the first airlift of pilgrims out of the country, Hassan said; “We have mapped out a 25 days strategic airlift operation plan that will commence on the 25th of May 2023.
“However, we are ready and decided to move our advance team, comprising medical and hajj officials to move to Saudi Arabia on 21st of May. We pray that the 2023 hajj will witness great improvement”
Before the fare increase was agreed on, all the chosen airlines had refused to sign the airlift agreement with NAHCON, citing the additional financial cost to the trip for having to use another route.
Expectedly, the annual hajj has again been downsized this year with the Saudi authorities striving to prevent another round of coronavirus outbreak during the five-day pilgrimage.
As one of the five pillars of Islam and a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime, the Hajj is usually one of the world’s largest religious gatherings.
