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The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has refuted the circulating news of $100 additional Hajj fare. According to Mousa Ubandawaki, the Deputy Director of Information & Publications at NAHCON, the commission had resolved to reduce the Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA) for Hajj pilgrims in 2023 to $700 against the initial $800 provided in the Hajj package.

Mr Ubandawaki stated that the Sudan crisis, resulting in the closure of its airspace, has affected all Hajj air-lift flights. The alternate routes are from 1 hour and 40 minutes to three hours longer, depending on the departure points in Nigeria. This alternate route would require carriers to fly through the airspace of Cameroon, the Central African Republic (CAR), Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, incurring additional aviation fuel and over-flight charges.

The commission reviewed all options in relation to funding the additional $250 dollars to the airlines, involving several processes and meetings with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, and airlines. They resolved to obtain a waiver from the Federal Government on the remaining 35% of aviation charges in the airlines’ favor, translating to $55. The $250 addition negotiated with the airlines would be further reduced by $55, leaving $195 to be borne by the 75,000 pilgrims. The remaining $195 amount to $117 per pilgrim.

To avoid additional financial obligations on the pilgrims, NAHCON has resolved to reduce the BTA for the 2023 Hajj pilgrims to $700 against the $800 already paid by the pilgrims. NAHCON has also sought understanding from the airlines to offer the remaining $17 as an additional discount to the pilgrims who are also victims of the Sudan airspace closure.

The commission clarified that should the Sudanese airspace be cleared for normal flight before the Hajj airlift begins or at any point during the operation, appropriate refunds would be made to the pilgrims. Mr. Ubandawaki emphasized that the news of the $100 additional Hajj fare was a misrepresentation of fact, and that the commission aims to avoid exploiting the pilgrims.