The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) had approved three airlines – Max Air, Azman Air and Flynas – to convey 43,008 pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Max Air, which is conducting the inaugural flight, is deploying two Boeing 747-400 planes for the movement of Nigerians to the holy land.
Besides, the indigenous airline would convey 16,000 pilgrims from 13 states, including Taraba, Kogi, Niger, Kwara, Jigawa, Katsina, Benue, Plateau, Borno and Nasarawa.
A statement signed by the airline’s media consultant, Mallam Ibrahim Dahiru, said preparation for a smooth pilgrimage had been concluded.
He added that the technical, cabin crew and ground staff had been mobilised for the flight.
Dahiru explained that Max Air would position the plane in the early hours of today, June 9, in Maiduguri, Borno State for airlifting of the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
His words: “Since 2007, Max Air has taken the lead in airlifting Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.”
THIS is even as Acting Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Alhaji Idris Isa Jere, has assured the pilgrims of a hitch-free hajj this year.
He reassured NAHCON Chairman, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, of his organisation’s commitment to assisting the commission in conducting a successful pilgrimage.
Jere, who gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to NAHCON Hajj House in Abuja, said the service had deployed officers in all departure centres for smooth clearances.
He stated that passport offices across the federation had been directed to facilitate the issuance of the document to prospective pilgrims.
In his remarks, the NAHCON boss thanked his visitor for honour, reposing confidence in the acting CG.
Hassan acknowledged Jere’s effort as head of a sister agency working with the commission in ensuring that all qualified pilgrims made the trip to Saudi Arabia with ease.
He promised to do everything possible to strengthen existing ties between the two agencies.
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