NAHCON, Air Carriers Meet to Resolve 2023 Hajj Ticket Fees
0
0
NAHCON, Air Carriers Meet to Resolve 2023 Hajj Ticket Fees
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has met with representatives of air carriers that airlifted pilgrims for the 2023 Hajj to resolve the lingering issue of unpaid ticket fees.
The meeting, held on Thursday in Abuja aimed to find a lasting solution to the complication caused by the Dollar’s volatility.
Present at the meeting were representatives from Aero Contractors, Max Air, Air Peace, Azman, and FlyNas.
READ ALSO: Gov Abdulrazaq Approves Immediate Rehabilitation of Moro Bridge
INCNews247 recalls that the air ticket fee for the 2023 Hajj was initially set at $2,026.00, with pilgrims paying N923,856.00 for a return ticket at a concessionary rate of N456 to a Dollar.
However, the Dollar’s rise after the Hajj airlift led to a predicament, worsened by the currency’s continued volatility.
Previous meetings to resolve the issue ended in a stalemate, with airlines insisting on payment in Dollars as per their contract.
Although Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima intervened, appealing to the airlines to accept Naira payment due to Dollar scarcity.
At the meeting, Commissioner Policy, Personnel Management and Finance, Alhaji Aliu Abdulrazaq, acknowledged the airlines’ understanding and loyalty.
Commissioner Operations, Prince Anofi Elegushi, noted the overdue payment and praised the airlines’ magnanimity.
The airlines’ representatives expressed frustrations but agreed to the proposed Naira payment, promising to work with NAHCON to end the log-jam.
NAHCON is set to meet with other stakeholders to discuss critical Hajj 2025 issues.
