Hajj 2023: NAHCON flies home 14,965 pilgrims
Nine days after the start of the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to their homes following the end of the 2023 Hajj exercise, a total of 14,965 pilgrims have so far been airlifted as of 7:04 p.m. , Nigerian time (9:04 pm Saudi time) on Wednesdays on 38 flights.
The latest departure from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia was a contingent of 478 pilgrims from Nasarawa State, flown to Abuja by Saudi airline Fly Nas.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) began the return airlift operation on July 4 after pilgrims completed the Hajj rites on June 30.
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The commission had informed on Tuesday that it had secured more slots for the five Nigerian airlines involved in the air transport of pilgrims from state councils for the welfare of pilgrims and tour operators to enable them to operate from Jeddah airport.
Nigerian airlines, Air Peace; Azman Air; Max Air and Aero Contractors, licensed for air transportation of pilgrims from all 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Arik Air licensed for tour operators.
Unlike Fly Nas, which had transparent state pilgrim air transport operations, Nigerian airlines were hampered in their operation due to slot allocation.
NAHCON had announced that from Wednesday, the five Nigerian airlines would start operating their inbound flights in an optimal manner.
A press release, signed by NAHCON Deputy Director, Information and Publications, Alhaji Mousa Ubandawaki, made available to Tribune Online from Makkah, said this was the outcome of the meeting of high level between the commission and the Saudi authorities, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GACA) on the slowness of the airlift operation.
He informed that despite several representations, including the intervention of the Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Amb Dauda Yahaya Lawal, little was achieved until the matter was brought to the highest level of government before the situation is finally resolved.
According to Ubandawaki, “From tomorrow Wednesday, July 12, 2023, all licensed Nigerian carriers will begin to operate their flight to Nigeria in an optimal manner.
"This is the outcome of the high-level meeting between the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Saudi authorities, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) over the slow pace of the operation airlift.
"With the situation, Max Airline with three aircraft in its fleet will be able to operate all aircraft in Nigeria daily, same with Aero Contractors, Air peace, Azman and Arik Air which is dedicated to airlift private operator circuits.”
The new development, the NAHCON official said, should ease pressure on restless Nigerian pilgrims who have been eager to return to Nigeria since the end of the Hajj rites.
Tags: 2023 HajjNAHCON
Nine days after the start of the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to their homes following the end of the 2023 Hajj exercise, a total of 14,965 pilgrims have so far been airlifted as of 7:04 p.m. , Nigerian time (9:04 pm Saudi time) on Wednesdays on 38 flights.
The latest departure from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia was a contingent of 478 pilgrims from Nasarawa State, flown to Abuja by Saudi airline Fly Nas.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) began the return airlift operation on July 4 after pilgrims completed the Hajj rites on June 30.
Similar Items
The commission had informed on Tuesday that it had secured more slots for the five Nigerian airlines involved in the air transport of pilgrims from state councils for the welfare of pilgrims and tour operators to enable them to operate from Jeddah airport.
Nigerian airlines, Air Peace; Azman Air; Max Air and Aero Contractors, licensed for air transportation of pilgrims from all 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Arik Air licensed for tour operators.
Unlike Fly Nas, which had transparent state pilgrim air transport operations, Nigerian airlines were hampered in their operation due to slot allocation.
NAHCON had announced that from Wednesday, the five Nigerian airlines would start operating their inbound flights in an optimal manner.
A press release, signed by NAHCON Deputy Director, Information and Publications, Alhaji Mousa Ubandawaki, made available to Tribune Online from Makkah, said this was the outcome of the meeting of high level between the commission and the Saudi authorities, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GACA) on the slowness of the airlift operation.
He informed that despite several representations, including the intervention of the Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Amb Dauda Yahaya Lawal, little was achieved until the matter was brought to the highest level of government before the situation is finally resolved.
According to Ubandawaki, “From tomorrow Wednesday, July 12, 2023, all licensed Nigerian carriers will begin to operate their flight to Nigeria in an optimal manner.
"This is the outcome of the high-level meeting between the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the Saudi authorities, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) over the slow pace of the operation airlift.
"With the situation, Max Airline with three aircraft in its fleet will be able to operate all aircraft in Nigeria daily, same with Aero Contractors, Air peace, Azman and Arik Air which is dedicated to airlift private operator circuits.”
The new development, the NAHCON official said, should ease pressure on restless Nigerian pilgrims who have been eager to return to Nigeria since the end of the Hajj rites.
Tags: 2023 HajjNAHCON
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