Nigerian Pilgrims Set to Return Home in Airlift Commencing on 4th July By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman The airlift of Nigerian pilgrims back to Nigeria is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, the fourth day of this month. This announcement was made by Engineer Goni Sanda, the Head of Aviation Matters at the National Hajj Commission of
Nigerian Pilgrims Set to Return Home in Airlift Commencing on 4th July
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The airlift of Nigerian pilgrims back to Nigeria is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, the fourth day of this month.
This announcement was made by Engineer Goni Sanda, the Head of Aviation Matters at the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), during the post-Arafah meeting on Sunday evening in Makkah.
Engineer Goni emphasised that the evacuation of pilgrims back to Nigeria after the Hajj exercise would strictly adhere to the “first in, first out” criteria.
He further explained that the Saudi authorities have implemented a policy during the first two weeks, limiting the maximum operation of air carriers due to the high volume of traffic and the extensive number of aircraft involved in the evacuation of pilgrims from different continents and countries worldwide.
While Nigerian carriers have been granted permission to airlift pilgrims from Madinah International Airport, Engineer Goni noted that it poses significant challenges as approximately ninety-eight percent of Nigerian pilgrims have already visited Madinah.
He said, “Transporting them again to Madinah would be an arduous task, particularly in terms of handling their luggage,” adding that “Discussions with the relevant authorities are underway to review this permission at least for this year, with a conclusion expected by Monday”.
Engineer Goni further emphasised that to provide pilgrims with a sense of certainty regarding their return to Nigeria, they should calculate forty days from the date of their arrival in the Kingdom, with a margin of plus or minus three days.
Regarding the airlift operations, Engineer Goni stated that during the first two weeks, Flynas would utilise only four of their six aircraft for the operation, as the remaining two are undergoing necessary checks and maintenance.
In terms of Zamzam water, Engineer Goni mentioned that the majority of it has already been transported to Nigeria and is awaiting collection by pilgrims at their respective arrival and departure points.