NAHCON, Arik Air  Set to Seal Deal to Airlifit 7,000 Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia

Hammed Shittu in Makkah

National Hajji Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), yesterday, said it has concluded arrangement to enter into agreement with the Arik Air that would see the airlifting of 7,000 pilgrims from the Private Tour Operators sector that paid to be airlifted to Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajji operations before the closure of Jeddah International Airport.

The Commission added that, it  has so far injected resources to keep this contract alive as well as exploring other options of engaging more local and foreign airlines to conclude the airlift of private tour operators’ pilgrims.

“The intending pilgrims at Lagos departure center that began some agitations are advised to calm down and await their airlift to Saudi Arabia soonest,” it said.
A statement by its Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Hajia Fatima Sanda Usara, stated that, “the  Commission is not unaware of the situation and had before now deployed all its resources to arrest the situation before it turns irredeemable. Information reaching the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, from the Private Tour Operators’ sector especially from the Lagos axis, calls for concern.

“The Commission is not unaware of the situation and had before now deployed all its resources to arrest the situation before it turns irredeemable. NAHCON is about to seal a fresh deal that would see all pilgrims from the private sector that paid to be airlifted by Arik Air securely in Saudi Arabia as planned.

“Indeed, NAHCON entered agreement with Arik Air to transport about 7,000 pilgrims registered with the private travel agencies for the 2023 Hajj. Arik on its part signed the deal with a Saudi based airline to ferry its allocation using two aircraft to be stationed in Lagos, Kano and Abuja.

“The said airline actually provided the agreed aircraft but having conveyed the first set of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, it never returned to finish its job. This led to pilgrims feeling abandoned.

“In fairness to both Arik and its partner, funds that were supposed to be advanced for the engagement was yet to be released at the time of airlift due to certain financial restrictions, a development that crippled the agreement despite NAHCON’s assurances.”