NAHCON Begins Screening of Airlines for Hajj 2023
NAHCON Begins Screening of Airlines for Hajj 2023
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
As the 2023 Hajj approaches, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has announced the commencement of the screening exercise for airlines that will airlift Nigerian pilgrims to the Holy Land in May.
The 36-member committee, led by Alh. Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa, will be responsible for the selection of airlines that will transport pilgrims and their luggage.
The Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Alh. Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, inaugurated the committee on Wednesday at the Conference Hall of the Hajj House in Abuja, urging them to be diligent, fair, and transparent in the discharge of their assignment.
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Ten airlines and three cargo operators have applied for the airlift and air freight of pilgrims’ luggage for the 2023 Hajj.
The committee has been tasked with screening the prospective carriers and determining their suitability and capability in line with the Nigerian Civil Aviation regulations and ICAO standards.
Passengers will be allocated to the airlines based on their assessed capabilities.
The committee will also establish criteria, score, or grade for suitability and for the recommendation of an applicant. Additionally, they will recommend appropriate pilgrim airfare and excess luggage rates for the specified departure zones.
The committee has a one-week period to submit its reports and recommendations, after which the Exco of the Commission will consider them.
The airlines that have applied for the airlift include Aero Contractors, Air peace, Arik Air L.t.d, Azman Air Services, Flynas (a Saudi designated carrier), K-impex Airline L.t.d, Max Air L.t.d, Skypower Express Airways, Value Jet, and United Nigeria Airline Company Limited.
The screening exercise is expected to ensure that the selected airlines have the capacity and expertise to transport pilgrims safely and comfortably, thereby achieving Hajj Mabrur.