…NAHCON advance team arrives S’Arabia
As the airlift of pilgrims for this year’s Hajj season begins tomorrow, Wednesday, the outcome of preparations would manifest with the planned take-off of 428 passengers on FlyNas airline to Saudi Arabia.
The inaugural flight is scheduled to take-off with Kebbi state pilgrims from the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport (SABIA) in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
To witness the occasion are diplomats, members of the Hajj industry, with the Vice-President, Sen. Kashim Shettima as Special Guest of Honour.
An advance team of officials comprising medical personnel from the National Medical Team (NMT), media staff, accommodation officials, few feeding committee members, select members of the Central Security Committee members as well as the National Reception Team departed Nigeria on Sunday 12th to receive the pilgrims.
The onward airlift to Saudi Arabia will last until 10th day of June, or hopefully earlier. Pilgrims will travel in groups of 45, according to Saudi Arabia’s guidelines; missing out from the group could come with consequences, as stated by the host country.
Two other flights are scheduled to take-off on same day of the inaugural flight with pilgrims of Nasarawa and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), from the Abuja International Airport. Subsequently, two flights would take-off each day in the days following the inaugural flight, to gradually increase to five flights daily.
Fifteen airports have been designated for the 2024 Hajj exercise. About 65,047 pilgrims, from both public and private sectors, are expected to participate in the 2024 Hajj.
