...As GACA President visits Nigeria

By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has called for a review of the 50/50 Hajj passenger sharing formula between Saudi Arabia airlines and other Hajj participating countries.

A statement on Tuesday, 6th December, 2022, by Fatima Sanda Usara, AD Public Affairs National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said the Minister made the call during a meeting with a delegation from the Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) led by its President, Abdulaziz A. Duailej on Monday.

She said: "The delegation was in Abuja to share concerns and proffer solutions to perceived lapses from both sides. Other aviation stakeholders and NAHCON were also present."

Hajj and Umrah Operations will be streamlined under strict regulations to make the airlines stronger as well as to protect Nigerians plying that route from experiencing difficulties.

Capt. Sirika called for a review of the 50/50 Hajj passenger sharing formula between Saudi Arabia-owned airlines and those of other Hajj participating countries.

He requested the GACA President to consider Nigeria’s peculiarities in this regard. According to him, successful partnership depends on negotiations, compromise and seeking for mutual support and understanding.

The Chairman NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, requested information on the scope of operations which the Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) covers under GACA guidelines.

The clarification was sought in view of the problem encountered in the 2022 Hajj where NAHCON had requested its APG be used to allow Azman Air commence airlift before the airline’s own APG would be approved. It would be recalled that Azman Air lost 11 days of operations due to delay in its APG being credited in its IBAN account.

The Chairman also requested GACA to make known early enough which Saudi based airline would be deployed for the Hajj operations.

Other requests forwarded by the NAHCON Chairman included forwarding of information on Saudi-recognized private charter flights to NAHCON to enable the Commission monitor their activities. Similarly, the NAHCON head requested that security identity cards for NAHCON staff posted to the airports for Hajj operations be made readily available.

Hassan explained that by middle of December, the Commission is slated to begin aviation related activities in preparation for the 2023 Hajj.

The GACA President, Abdulaziz A. Duailej, who is in Nigeria, disclosed that his presence in the country is part of the 2023 Hajj preparations process to ensure hitch-free operations.

He recognized the importance of early planning to avoid hitches, due to which his industry and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah have concluded plans to make known all modalities for the 2023 pilgrimage season ahead of time to give participating countries a grace of at least five months for prearrangements. He expressed hope that Hajj air carriers will remain operational throughout the year and not just become functional during Hajj.

On their parts Executive Director and representative of Max Air, Mr Harish S. Manwani and the Chairman Azman Air, Alh. Abdul Manaf Sarina, assured that they have added large bodied aircraft to their fleets which are constantly undergoing technical maintenance as required.

Others in attendance at the meeting were NAHCON’s Commissioner Operations, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa; Head of Aviation, Engr Goni Sanda; NAHCON’s Makkah Liaison Officer, Ustaz Lamim; experts from the aviation industry and representatives of air carriers.

Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) led by its President, Abdulaziz A. Duailej, Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika, the Chairman NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan and other Nigerian officials during the GACA president’s visit to Nigeria.

•Saudi Arabian General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) led by its President, Abdulaziz A. Duailej, Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika, the Chairman NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan and other Nigerian officials during the GACA president’s visit to Nigeria. Photo Credit: NAHCON

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