- The Hajj body had earlier announced Nigerian airlines Max Air and Air Peace, alongside Saudi-based airline FlyNas, as the successful airlines to airlift Nigerian pilgrims and officials this year
In a bid to ensure a seamless operation, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Thursday signed airlift agreements with the airlines approved to airlift Nigerian pilgrims to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj exercise.
The Hajj body had earlier announced Nigerian airlines Max Air and Air Peace, alongside Saudi-based airline FlyNas, as the successful airlines to airlift Nigerian pilgrims and officials this year.
While the commission signed the agreements with Max Air and Air Peace, it was unable to do so with FlyNas, which sent words in that its officials were unable to be at the event as they missed their flight to Nigeria.
Speaking during the signing ceremony at the Hajj House headquarters of the commission yesterday in Abuja, NAHCON Chairman and CEO, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, described airlines as key partners in the Hajj operation, noting that the three approved airlines were partners in progress.
While submitting that there are huge expectations for the approved airlines to have a successful operation this year, the NAHCON boss said they had all come a long way together with the commission.
Arabi declared that there were challenges noted during last year’s airlift operations and expressed the hope that there would be improved performance this year in the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims.
He noted that there has been some anxiety as the agreement signing ought to have taken place before now, saying that now that it has taken place, the expectation is to have a successful outing this year.
He, therefore, urged the airlines not to betray the trust placed in them by the commission in selecting them to partake in this year’s operation.
“The icing on the cake is to have a successful outing, and we know we won’t fail. There have been some moments of anxiety because what we are about to do now should have been done months ago.
“We will enter into an agreement, but the majority of it is based on trust. There are many of you in the queue, but you scale through,” Arabi said.
He further admonished the airlines to protect their names very well through their performance during the period of airlift operation, adding that they should strive to protect the pilgrims during the exercise.
According to the NAHCON CEO, “There had been challenges in the past where there were infractions, but with the way we started, we will have understood where they came from.
“We have no doubt you will excel, and things will be done in the positive. I want to prove the naysayers wrong that things have changed for the better.”
He then appealed to the airlines not to fail the country, pilgrims, and themselves, adding that they must do their best.
On his part, NAHCON Commissioner in Charge of Operations, Prince Anofi Elegushi, said the event marked a significant milestone aimed at ensuring smooth operations this year.
While expressing the hope that the agreement would pave the way for a successful pilgrimage for the pilgrims, Elegushi said it was only through collective efforts that high-quality service could be provided for the pilgrims.
The Acting Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Agency (NCAA), Captain Chris Ona Najomo, who was represented by the Director of Aerodromes and Airspace Standards, made a brief remark that Hajj operations meant long-term planning, stating that Nigeria “cannot afford to do fire-brigade operations in Hajj.”
According to him, the NCAA had already commenced its work ahead of time, submitting that “Hajj operations are predictable.
“Fifteen aerodromes have been inspected, and all issues have been communicated and are being addressed.”
Air Peace will airlift intending pilgrims from Abia; Akwa Ibom; Anambra; Bayelsa; Cross River; Delta; Ebonyi; Edo; Ekiti; Enugu; FCT; Imo; Kwara; Ondo; and Rivers.
FlyNas will airlift Muslim pilgrims from Borno, Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe, and Zamfara.
Max Air, which has the highest contingent, will airlift pilgrims from Bauchi; Benue; Kano; Katsina; Kogi; Nasarawa; Adamawa; Oyo; Taraba; Kaduna; Armed Forces; Gombe; Jigawa; and Plateau states.