The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON has allayed the fears of pilgrims over the indefinite suspension of Max Air airline by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA.
HAJJ REPORTERS reports that the NCAA had on Thursday slammed the suspension on the Nigerian-based air carrier, causing fears among the pilgrims that are yet to be airlifted to Nigeria after concluding the 2023 Hajj.
But, in a statement by Mousa Ubandawaki
Deputy Director, Information & Publications Division of NAHCON on Thursday, the commission said it is imperative to clarify that the suspension does not and would not affect the ongoing Hajj airlift operation in Saudi Arabia.
The clarification, according to NAHCON, became necessary to assuage and calm the pilgrims and relatives back at home that the suspension order is limited to their domestic air services which does not affect their charter and international operations.
NAHCON explained that the clamp down was on the Airline’s Boeing 737 aircraft which has been the crux of the NCAA audit query for some time, adding that “the aircraft being used for airlift of Nigerian Pilgrims is not the same as the one on their domestic route.”
“Therefore, the Commission wishes to assure all Nigerians and the pilgrims in particular, that the ongoing airlift of Nigerian pilgrims will continue undisturbed and that the Airline will continue to utilize the slots allocated to it by the Saudi General Authority in Civil Aviation (GACA) unhindered.
“We want to thank all Nigerians and pilgrims for their patience and perseverance and to assure of the Commission’s commitment to airlift all Nigerian pilgrims to Nigeria in record time,” the statement concluded.
