This year’s airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj is off to a great start! Pilgrims and stakeholders have praised the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for their collaboration in ensuring a smooth operation.
As of Thursday, over 29,600 pilgrims have been airlifted in 71 flights since the inaugural flight on May 15th. This represents 60-65% of the total 57,000 pilgrims expected to participate this year. Authorities are optimistic that Nigeria will meet the Saudi deadline of June 10th to complete the airlift.
The airlift involves multiple airlines (Air Peace, Max Air, and FlyNas) departing from airports across the country, including Lagos, Abuja, and Ilorin. So far, the process has been smooth, with some minor challenges related to pilgrims unintentionally entering restricted areas due to unfamiliarity with airport security protocols.
FAAN attributes the success to early planning and preparation. This included commissioning a new Hajj terminal in Sokoto, inspecting facilities in Kano, and collaborating with airlines to ensure on-time departures. They’re committed to maintaining this high standard and improving future operations based on this year’s positive experience.
Source: Daily Trust