By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says beginning from Wednesday, 12th July, 2023, all the Nigerian licensed carriers would begin to operate their in-bound flight to Nigeria optimally.

Mousa Ubandawaki Deputy Director, Information/Publications in a statement on Tuesday, July 11th, 2023, said the with situation, Max Airline with three aircraft on its fleet, would be able to operate all the aircraft to Nigeria everyday, the same with Aero Contractors, Air peace, Azman and Arik Air which is dedicated to the airlift of private tour operators.

"This was the outcome of the high level meeting between the NAHCON and the Saudi authorities, General Authority on civil Aviation (GACA) on the slow pace of the airlift operation," he said.

According to him, the new development is expected to ease the strain on the agitation of Nigerian pilgrims who have been anxious to return to Nigeria since the conclusion of the Hajj rites on the 30th june.

The Deputy Director also stated that the new development would also increase the pace of the airlift operation which have been bogged down by non-availability of slots to the Nigerian licensed carriers, especially by the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority.

Ubandawaki expressed the Commission's concern over the situation which according to him, they have been battling with since the commencement of the second phase of the airlift operation.

"The GACA have refused to allot slots to the Nigerian airlines to speed up the return of pilgrims back home.

“Several representations, meetings were held. The intervention of the Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Amb. Dauda Yahaya Lawal, achieved little success until the issue was escalated to the highest level of Government before the situation was finally resolved.

“Thus far, only 26 flights have been recorded on the in-bound airlift operation with the highest shuttle operated by the Saudi- owned Flynas which operated more than 2/3 of the flights,” he lamented.

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