The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has signed an agreement with Flynas, a Saudi Arabian airline, for the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims in the 2024 hajj.
Speaking during the agreement signing at the headquarters of the commission in Abuja on Friday, Jalal Arabi, NAHCON chairman, described airlines as key partners in the hajj operations.
The hajj commission has selected Flynas, Max Air and Air Peace as official carriers that will airlift 51,447 Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2024 hajj.
Yasser Ajlan, FlyNas director for business development, promised to work closely with the NAHCON chairman to provide excellent and seamless services to Nigerian pilgrims.
“We are happy to sign this agreement with NAHCON, and we want to assure the new Chairman, Jalal Arabi, of our unwavering support and commitment towards successful hajj operations in Nigeria,” Ajlan said.
“FlyNas will airlift Muslim pilgrims from Borno, Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe, and Zamfara.
“With over 80 local ad-hoc staff, Flynas has been airlifting Nigerian pilgrims in the last nine years without any hitches.
“The airline’s entry into the Nigerian hajj eco-system has tremendously helped in the capacity building of its workforce as well as stabilizing the airlift operations of Nigerian pilgrims to and from Saudi Arabia.”
He added that Flynas will use six aircraft for the hajj operation as part of its efforts to ensure seamless operations in line with global standards.
Hani Isma’il, manager of business development, and Umar Kaila, MD of First Planet Travels, the Nigerian general sales agent (GSA) of FlyNas witnessed the signing of the agreement.