The Nigerian government has authorised four airlines to serve as official carriers for pilgrims doing the Hajj in 2025.

The four airlines were chosen from among the 11 businesses that applied to transport Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the Muslim pilgrimage, according to a statement released on Sunday by Prof. Abdullahi Usman, Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Prof. Usman claimed that the four authorised airlines are UMZA Aviation Services Ltd., Max Air, Fly-Nas, a Saudi Arabia-designated carrier, and Air Peace Ltd.

According to him, a 32-person team that was established by NAHCON on November 26, 2024, screened and shortlisted the airlines.

He clarified that the Aviation Screening Committee was composed of one member each from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), three members from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and representatives from State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards.

The NAHCON boss noted that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) provided some of the committee’s members.

Hajj_NAHCON (News Central TV)

According to Prof. Usman, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) each had one member.

He also mentioned the NAHCON Heads of Aviation, Procurement, Legal, Internal Audit, and Special Duties, as well as Board Members representing the aviation industry and NAHCON Board Members representing each of the nation’s geopolitical zones.

Three surplus cargo carriers were chosen for the Hajj activities, the NAHCON chief also revealed.

He listed Qualla Investment Ltd., Cargozeal Technology Ltd., and Aglow Aviation Support Services Ltd. and commended the companies that made it through the vetting process and urged them to fulfil their obligations.

Meanwhile, Prof. Usman signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the 2025 Hajj with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on behalf of the Nigerian government.

Dr. Abdulfatah Masahat, the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, represented the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the signing ceremony to formalise this year’s Hajj engagements in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

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