2023 Hajj: NAHCON, 4 Nigerian airlines sign agreement

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and the four Nigerian Airlines approved for the transportation of pilgrims to the 2023 Hajj have finally signed an agreement.
The commission’s Chairman, Zikrullah Hassan, made this known in a statement by the Deputy Director, Information and Publications, NAHCON, Malam
Mousa Ubandawaki, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four airlines, had earlier on Thursday, declined to sign an agreement with NAHCON due to the ongoing crisis in Sudan.
The airlines are Max Air with 16,326 allocation, Air Peace with 11,348, Azman Air with 8,660 and Aero Contractors with 7,833.
However, only the Saudi Arabian designated airline Flynas that will transport 28,515 intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia had signed the agreement.
Hassan praised the patriotic zeal of the local airlines for their sacrifices in the face of the challenge posed by the Sudan crisis.
“We are not unmindful of the challenge posed by the closure of the Sudan airspace to your Hajj operation.
” However, I wish to appeal to your conscience and sense of patriotism not to further burden the pilgrims with additional costs or changes.”
The Managing Director of Aero Contractors, Capt. Ado Sanusi, said the airlines were mindful of the plight of pilgrims who had earlier paid their hajj fare before the crises broke out.
” But we are constrained to take that decision because of logistic and operational need. We won’t like anything that will disrupt our operation halfway.”
In the same vein, the Chairman of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyeama, said their call for the review of the transportation
agreement with NAHCON was not to exploit the Sudan crises for business gains or opportunities.