A sense of relief may have come the way of about 3000 Nigerian pilgrims who are yet to be airlifted to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj as the General Authority on Civil Aviation (GA CA has extended the deadline for the closure of Airspace till 7th July.
The reprieve came after a high-level discussion between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia which was led by the Chairman /CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON, in Saudi Arabia.
With this new development the two airlines, Max Air and Azman airline would continue their airlifting operation from where they left off.
Meanwhile, the Commission has concluded an arrangement with Flynas to operate three (3)rescue flights for pilgrims in kano and Abuja)
Earlier, the chairman /CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON Alhaji Zikhirulla Kunle Hassan was in Saudi Arabia to make arrangements which will ensure that all Nigerian Pilgrims are being airlifted to the kingdom to perform the 2022 Hajj as contained in a statement by Hajiya Fatima Sanda Usara A. D Information and publication of the commission.
The statement reads:
NAHCON CEO To Meet Saudi Authorities
This is to bring to the notice of Nigerian intending pilgrims to 2022 Hajj and other stakeholders in the Hajj and Umrah industry that the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan had to proceed to Saudi Arabia to enable him to make further arrangements in the interest of Nigerian pilgrims.
He has however left Commissioner of Operations, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Hardaway, to coordinate arrangements at the home front. Deputy Director and Head of Aviation Engr Goni Sanda, Deputy Director Special Duties, Bashir Jazuli and some staff are also with the Commissioner to support him.