Saudi-based airlines FlyNas, Flyadeal, and nine other Nigerian-based airlines and aviation companies have joined the bid to airlift pilgrims from the country for the 2025 Hajj.
The aviation companies are Air Peace, GYRO Air Limited, Max Air Ltd, Nahco Aviance, Tarco Aviation, Umra Airline Limited, UMZA Aviation Services Limited, Value Jet and Trebet Aviation Ltd.
Besides, five cargo companies including Aglow Aviation Support Services Limited, Cargo Zeal Technologies, Qualla Investment, Kiswah Logistics Services Limited, and Sokodeke Global Travels and Cargo applied for the conveyance of pilgrims’ excess luggage during the exercise.
The airlines opened the bid Tuesday in Abuja as the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) began the process for screening and issuance of license for the airlift of the 2025 pilgrims from Nigeria.
NAHCON spokesperson Fatima Sanda Usara in a statement said the process set the pace for a series of activities that will culminate in the selection of pilgrims’ air carriers and excess luggage freighters for the 2025 Hajj exercise.
Earlier, the Chairman of the commission, Professor Abdullahi Usman Saleh inaugurated a 32-man committee entrusted with the responsibility of screening the airlines and cargo companies.
Chaired by the Commissioner in charge of Operations, Inspection, and Licensing (OILS), Prince Anofi Olanrewaju Elegushi, said the committee consists of aviation industry managers as well as stakeholders from the State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, representatives from the Presidency, Security Agencies, and NAHCON staff.
The committee, in line with the term of reference, is expected to “screen the prospective carriers that applied to determine the suitability and capability of the applicants in line with the extant Nigerian Civil Aviation regulations and ICAO standards and recommended practices;
“Recommend minimum standards of operation in accordance with industry best practices by the prequalified companies; Recommend appropriate pilgrim airfare and excess luggage rate for the specified departure zones; and make any other recommendations necessary for the efficient conduct of 2025 Hajj airlift.”
NAHCON chairman Professor Usman described the inauguration as an important activity that demands commitment due to the magnitude of work involved and its significance to successful operations.
He urged the committee to work within a term of reference towards providing excellent services to pilgrims. The committee is expected to submit its report by 2nd December 2024.