Intending Pilgrims To Start Leaving For Saudi Arabia In June — NAHCON

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said arrangements have been completed to commence the transportation of 2022 intending pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on June 9.

NAHCON Chairman, Zikrullah Hassan, made the disclosure at the signing of an agreement between the commission and three airlines approved to transport Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Friday in Abuja.

Hassan mentioned that three air carriers that were approved by the Federal Government through the commission were the Azman Air, Max Air and Flynas (Saudi Arabia designated airline).

He urged the airlines to give quality service in line with the standard known in the aviation industry and treat all pilgrims as very important personalities.

Hassan also revealed that by Monday, June 6, the advance team of the commission would be proceeding to the city of Madina and Makkah.

According to him, by the projection of the commission on June 9, the 2022 Hajj inaugural flight of Nigeria will head to Madina.

”For us today is indeed historic because is the beginning of the hajj operation of 2022.

"It is clear to all of us that without flight there can be no Hajj for people living outside the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

”Intending pilgrims must get to Saudi Arabia before they can perform hajj. For that reason flight is key and very important.

”Permit me to use this opportunity to congratulate the successful air carriers all of whom have been with the commission struggle since 2022.

”We also hope that those air carriers who didn’t succeed this year will have a better time some other time,” he said.

Earlier, the NAHCON Commissioner of Operations, Abdullahi Hardawa, described the event as epoch after almost three years without Hajj.