Flynas, the Saudi-designated Nigerian carrier, has successfully airlifted 18,017 pilgrims to the Holy Land for this year’s hajj. The Managing Director, General Sales Agent (GSA) of Flynas in Nigeria, Umar Kaila, made the announcement yesterday in Abuja. This represents approximately 63 percent of the 29,296 faithful allocated to the airline. The pilgrims, from numerous Nigerian states, flew in 45 flights, which Flynas declares was conducted successfully and on schedule.
Flynas employs over 60 Nigerians each year as ad hoc staff for its hajj operations, which have been in the country since 2014 as part of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. The airline deployed five out of six aircraft for the pilgrimage.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) allocated 29,296 pilgrims to Flynas, 16,326 to Max Air, 11,348 to Air Peace, 8,660 to Azman Air, and 7,833 to Aero Contractors. Currently, the commission has airlifted 42,571 pilgrims for the religious exercise with Max Air flying 12,327 pilgrims in 23 flights, Azman Air ferrying 2,750 others in three flights, Aero Contractors airlifting 6,025 pilgrims in seven flights, and Air Peace transporting 3,206 pilgrims in 12 flights.
In total, Flynas operated 45 of the 101 total flights by approved air carriers, focusing on Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Niger, Borno, Yobe, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara states. The airline’s success this year shows its commitment to the hajj exercise and a good start towards a fantastic 2023 hajj event.
