(SINL NIGERIA) The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has successfully airlifted 36,359 Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as at the time of this report.
Meanwhile, 5,494 pilgrims from the government quota are the total awaiting airlift.
Air Peace is projected to conclude its final Hajj flight on May 24, having secured a slot for that date. Similarly, UMZA Aviation is expected to complete its operations from Kaduna on the same day, with only three flights remaining so far.
Max Air will round off its airlift operations on May 25. The extension is due to an increase in the number of pilgrims that continued to register in some of the states assigned to the airline after formal allocation.
In a special arrangement, FlyNas will conclude its operations on May 30. The final FlyNas flight will depart with a full complement of pilgrims, including the Governor of Kebbi State.
Hence, the Commission will conduct mop-up flights on 24th in Kaduna by Umza, Abuja by Air Peace, and Max Air in Kano. Max Air’s final flight will take off from Katsina on 25th May.
Regarding the Nusuk card, NAHCON has reassured the few pilgrims yet to receive their cards to remain calm as they will receive their cards soonest.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which oversees its issuance in partnership with designated service providers, has directed immediate resolution of all outstanding issues. NAHCON is monitoring the process closely to ensure compliance and timely distribution.
It would be recalled that on the 23rd of April, the Commission announced that its VIP service providers the Rawaf Mina, secured 2,800 bed spaces in Tent A + facility. As the only VIP location secured this year, distribution to interested parties had continued following the announcement.
The NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman gave gratitude to the Almighty for the successes achieved so far and prayed for its continuation throughout the Hajj season. He thanked the Commission’s numerous stakeholders that contributed in achieving this feat.
The Chairman praised the intending pilgrims for their patience and civil conduct so far.
