ABUJA – The Nigerian government has formally approved Air Peace, FlyNas, and Max Air as the exclusive carriers for the upcoming 2024 Hajj pilgrimage. Additionally, Cargo Zeal Technologies Ltd, Nahco Aviance, and Qualla Investment Limited have been endorsed as the official cargo companies for the exercise, according to a statement released on Friday by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The statement, issued by Fatima Usara, NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Public Affairs, highlighted the government’s decision to entrust Air Peace Ltd., FlyNas, and Max Air with the responsibility of transporting pilgrims for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.
“Also approved are three other air cargo companies that will airfreight pilgrims’ excess luggage. They are Cargo Zeal Technologies Ltd, Nahco Aviance, and Qualla Investment Limited,” the statement specified.
Air Peace has been assigned to transport passengers from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, FCT, Imo, Kwara, Ondo, and Rivers States. Flynass will serve pilgrims from Borno, Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe, and Zamfara States. Max Air is responsible for transporting pilgrims from Bauchi, Benue, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Oyo, Taraba, Kaduna, Armed Forces, Gombe, Jigawa, and Plateau States.
The allocation of pilgrims to the airlines aligns with the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, governing the airlift of pilgrims under the government quota, NAHCON noted. The statement also mentioned that state governments could opt to designate any of the approved freight companies for conveying their pilgrims’ excess luggage.
In a separate development, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, is set to lead a delegation from NAHCON in signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage on January 7, 2024.
The announcement underscores the government’s meticulous planning for the forthcoming Hajj pilgrimage, a significant religious event for millions of Nigerians.
