The Nigerian government has given its nod to Air Peace, FlyNas, and Max Air as the exclusive carriers for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage. This decision was communicated by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) through the Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Fatima Usara.
In addition to the airlines, Cargo Zeal Technologies Ltd, Nahco Aviance, and Qualla Investment Limited have been approved as the official cargo companies for transporting pilgrims’ excess luggage.
According to the statement, Air Peace will be responsible for transporting passengers from numerous states including Abia, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers. FlyNas is tasked with lifting pilgrims from states like Lagos, Borno, Osun, and Niger, while Max Air will be facilitating pilgrim transportation from states such as Kano, Benue, Kaduna, and others.
This allocation of pilgrims to specific airlines aligns with the existing Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia for the airlift of pilgrims under the government quota. However, states have the flexibility to choose any of the approved freight companies to convey their pilgrims’ excess luggage, provided they communicate their decision to the Commission accordingly.
Furthermore, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, is scheduled to lead a NAHCON delegation to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage on January 7, 2024.
The approval of these carriers and cargo companies marks a significant step in ensuring a smooth and organized Hajj pilgrimage for Nigerian pilgrims in 2024.
