The Federal Government has approved four airlines to transport Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage. This was disclosed by the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Usman, in a statement issued by the commission’s Assistant Director, Information and Publication, Mrs. Fatima Usara, on Sunday in Abuja.
The approved airlines, selected from 11 applicants, are Air Peace Ltd., Fly-Nas (a Saudi Arabian airline), Max Air, and UMZA Aviation Services Ltd. These airlines were chosen after a rigorous screening process conducted by a 32-member committee inaugurated on November 26, 2024.
The committee included representatives from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and other stakeholders.
Additionally, three excess cargo carriers—Aglow Aviation Support Services Ltd., Cargozeal Technology Ltd., and Qualla Investment Ltd.—were approved to handle logistics during the Hajj operations.
Prof. Usman also signed the 2025 Hajj Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on behalf of the Nigerian Government. The signing ceremony took place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Abdulfatah Masahat, representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The NAHCON Chairman congratulated the successful airlines and cargo carriers and urged them to fulfill their commitments as outlined during the screening process.
The Federal Government and Saudi authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring a seamless and successful pilgrimage for all Nigerian pilgrims in 2025.
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