Hajj 2023: Airlift of Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia Ends June 24, Says NAHCON

• NAHCON airlifts 71,000 pilgrims

Hammed Shittu in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia will end Saturday, June 24, 2023.

A statement issued by the commission’s Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara, Thursday also said the commission had airlifted over 71,000 pilgrims and recorded 170 flights since the airlifting commenced 27 days ago.

According to the statement, “The Aero Contractors Airline, Max Air and Air Peace have all concluded conveyance of their allocated pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, while Azman has one more flight to conclude.

“FlyNas is expected to close the window of this year’s outbound airlift of pilgrims from public quota, due to technical hitches that pinioned its movement on few occasions.

 “For this and other reasons, 23rd and 24th of June still remain open for landing of Nigerian pilgrims into Saudi Arabia for the 2023 Hajj.

“Hence, while FlyNas would conclude conveyance of pilgrims on government quota by 23rd, Max Air, on rescue services, would conclude conveyance of Private Tour Operators passengers by the 24th of June.

 “A special flight that would convey officials has been arranged to take off also on the 23rd, Friday.”

The commission therefore called on any eligible pilgrim with valid travel documents that has not been contacted for the journey to approach the nearest pilgrims’ welfare agency for confirmation and subsequent dispatch to the Kingdom for the 2023 Hajj exercise.

“The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, stands truly grateful to its numerous stakeholders, from within and abroad, for their teamwork principles through which unforeseen challenges were jointly ebbed away,” the statement noted.

Meanwhile, the NAHCON Chairman, Alhaji Kunle Hassan, on behalf of the commission’s management, congratulated successful Nigerian pilgrims and urged them to dedicate their time towards attaining the ultimate Hajj Mabrur and enjoined them to remain people of integrity and protect their honour while in the Holy land.

Hassan has empathised with all bona fide intending pilgrims who were unable to participate in this year’s Hajj for any reason. 

He explained that Hajj is an answer to divine call, adding that whoever is destined will answer at the due time. 

The chairman therefore appealed to those affected to take the failure to participate as destiny, and take solace in the fact that the commission would address their situations accordingly.