The Federal Government (FG) has approved four airlines to serve as air carriers for Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2025 Hajj.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Abdullahi Usman, revealed that the selected airlines were chosen from 11 companies that applied for the role.
The approved airlines are Air Peace Ltd., Fly-Nas (a Saudi Arabian airline), Max Air, and UMZA Aviation Services Ltd.
Usman explained that the selection process involved a rigorous screening carried out by a 32-member Aviation Screening Committee inaugurated by NAHCON on November 26, 2024.
The committee included representatives from various organizations, including the State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
Other committee members were drawn from the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and NAHCON Board members representing each geopolitical zone. Additionally, officials from NAHCON’s departments of Aviation, Procurement, Legal, Internal Audit, and Special Duties participated in the screening process.
Usman also announced that three excess cargo carriers—Aglow Aviation Support Services Ltd, Cargozeal Technology Ltd, and Qualla Investment Ltd—were approved to handle additional logistics for the pilgrimage.
READ ALSO: FG budgets ₦41.49bn for rail projects in 2025
He congratulated the successful companies and urged them to deliver on their commitments to ensure a seamless Hajj experience for pilgrims.
In a related development, Usman signed the 2025 Hajj Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of the Nigerian government with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
The ceremony, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, formalized Nigeria’s participation in the 2025 Hajj.
The Saudi government was represented by the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Abdulfatah Masahat.
The New Daily Prime earlier reported that Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf called on the FG to reduce the cost of the 2025 Hajj, citing the ongoing economic challenges faced by Nigerians.
The governor made the appeal during a ceremony hosted by the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board to distribute a N375 million refund to pilgrims who performed the 2023 Hajj.
