The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has recorded no fewer than thirty-five return flights of pilgrims so far, since the commencement of the return airlift on July 4th.
In the flights update posted on its platforms, NAHCON said 13,640 pilgrims had been airlifted to Nigeria so far, after completing the 2023 Hajj exercise.
The information also revealed that Air Peace flight P4-7917 that departed Jeddah to Lagos at 09:04hrs with 270 Pilgrims, comprising 269 of Kwara and 1 of FCT is the 35th flight.
HAJJ REPORTERS reports that the Saudi Arabia General Authority on Aviation GACA has approved more slots for Nigerian Hajj operations airlines to airlift more Nigerians back home, after initial foot-dragging.
the approval followed several meetings between the Nigerian Hajj authorities and Saudi authorities which initially limited the number of flights and the capacity of each airline out of the holy land after the conclusion of Hajj rites.
Beginning from Wednesday, 12th July, 2023 all the Nigerian licensed carriers would begin to operate their in-bound flight to Nigeria optimally.
A statement by Mousa Ubandawaki, Deputy Director, Information/Publications of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON said with this situation, Max Airline with three aircrafts on its fleet will be able to operate all the aircraft to Nigeria every day, the same with Aero Contractors, Air peace, Azman and Arik Air which is dedicated to the airlift of private tour operators.
