The Federal Government has approved four airlines to transport Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage. This announcement was made by the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Usman, in a statement released by Mrs. Fatima Usara, NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication.
The approved airlines are Air Peace Ltd, Fly-Nas (a Saudi-based airline), Max Air, and UMZA Aviation Services Ltd. These were selected from 11 applicants following a thorough screening process conducted by a 32 member Aviation Screening Committee inaugurated by NAHCON on November 26, 2024.
The committee included representatives from key organizations such as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). Members also included experts from NAHCON’s aviation, legal and procurement units, as well as board representatives from all geopolitical zones.
In addition to the passenger airlines, three cargo carriers Aglow Aviation Support Services Ltd, Cargozeal Technology Ltd and Qualla Investment Ltd were approved for transporting excess baggage during the Hajj.
Meanwhile, Prof. Usman signed the 2025 Hajj Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Representing Saudi Arabia, Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Abdulfatah Masahat, formalized this year’s Hajj arrangements at a ceremony in Jeddah.
The NAHCON Chairman urged all selected airlines and cargo carriers to fulfill their commitments and deliver quality service during the pilgrimage.