FG lists Airpeace, MaxAir, FlyNas as official airlines for 2024 Hajj
The federal government has approved three airlines, Airpeace, MaxAir, and FlyNas, for the 2023 hajj exercise, aimed at airlifting intending pilgrims.
In a statement given by Farima Sanda Usara, the Assistant Director on Public Affairs at The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), it was announced that the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has granted approval to the three distinguished airlines to exclusively carry out the airlift for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.
Furthermore, the government has also approved three air cargo companies, which are Cargo Zeal Technologies Ltd, Nahco Aviance, and Qualla Investment Limited, to airfreight pilgrims’ excess luggage.
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This move is set to ensure a seamless and secure pilgrimage experience for Nigerian intending pilgrims.
The allocation of pilgrims from various states to the approved airlines has also been authorized. Air Peace is allocated pilgrims from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, FCT, Imo, Kwara, Ondo, and Rivers States. FlyNas will airlift pilgrims from Borno, Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe, and Zamfara States. Max Air will be responsible for moving pilgrims from Bauchi, Benue, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Oyo, Taraba, Kaduna, Armed Forces, Gombe, Jigawa, and Plateau States.
This allocation is in line with the subsisting Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia on the airlift of pilgrims under government quota.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, with a delegation from NAHCON, is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage on 7th January 2024.
Malam Jalal Arabi, the Chairman of the commission, congratulated the approved airlines on their selection and urged them to prepare for a smooth pilgrimage in the 2024 season.
NAHCON remains committed to upholding the highest standards in pilgrimage organisation, with a focus on the safety and satisfaction of pilgrims,” she said.