The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAN) said on Tuesday in Abuja that it had screened 10 Air carriers for 2015 Hajj operations.
The Chairman of the commission, Muhammed Bello, who was represented by Dr Saleh Okenwa, Director, Research/Planning, made this known in his welcome address.
Okenwa said that the airlift of the pilgrims was the most important aspect of the exercise, adding that without airlifting the pilgrims, there would be no Hajj.
“I thank you for the interest you show in airlifting pilgrims to the holy land and I know as usual, the commission is expecting the best in 2015.
“I think the airlift is the most crucial in the whole hajj operations, because without it, every other arrangement is nothing.”
Okenwa said that the commission and the Federal Government had provided a level playing ground for the air operators to showcase their capability and capacity in regard to how well they were prepared for this year’sexercise.
He commended them for the commitment and transparency they had displayed so far in area of service delivery.
He told them that whatever they did before, during and after the exercise, should be in the best interest of the pilgrims and that the Almighty Allah would reward them for their intentions to assist the pilgrims.
Responding, Muniru Bankole, the Chief Executive officer, Med-View Airline, said that the journey had just begun, and prayed that the Almighty Allah would make it a successful one.
He urged the carriers selected to ensure that they put in maximum commitment to the exercise because it involved the lives of pilgrims.
He promised that pilgrims would be transported straight to Madinah rather than going through Makkah.
“Some carriers airlift pilgrims to either Makkah or Jeddah, before the pilgrims will now go to Madinah by road.
“But we in Med-view, airlift pilgrims straight to Madinah thereby, saving them the stress of travelling by road to Madinah.”
He said that Med-view also compliments the efforts of the state executives by giving every single pilgrim zam-zam (holy water), Ihram (male partner) and Hijab.
Also, Umar keilla, Chief Executive Officer, Fly-Nass Airline said that the airline was ready to transport the 2015 intending pilgrims to the holy land without any stress.
“Last year, the airline airlifted about 9,000 pilgrims to the holy land with four aircraft; this year, we are also ready to bring in four aircraft to embark on the same journey.
“We are going to give zam-zam water to all the intending pilgrims, starting from this year,” he said.
He, however, reminded the intending pilgrims that they were embarking on spiritual/religious journey and therefore, they needed a lot of patience, devotion and dedication.
He also reminded them of the need to devote their time to the worship of Almighty Allah and to be patient with the carriers as well.
The air carriers screeed included Kabo Air Limited, Skypower Express Airways Limited, Max Air Limited, Air Jupiter, Med-View Airline, Fly-Nass, Top Brass Aviation, Dornier Aviation, NIGERIA, Mega Meldives Airline and Hak Air.
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