By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Makkah.
The Saudi Arabia General Authority on Aviation GACA has approved more slots for Nigerian Hajj operations airlines to airlift more Nigerians back home, after initial dragging of foot.
The approval followed several meetings between the Nigerian Hajj authorities and Saudi authorities which initially limited the number of flights and the capacity of each airline out of the holy land after the conclusion of Hajj rites.
Beginning from Wednesday, 12th July, 2023 all the Nigerian licensed carriers would begin to operate their in-bound flight to Nigeria optimally.
A statement by Mousa Ubandawaki Deputy Director, Information/Publications of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON said with this situation, Max Airline with three aircrafts on its fleet will 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.
He said 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 approved increased slots he explained, will also increase the pace of the airlift operation which have been bogged down.
Ubandawaki said the Commission have been disturbed about the situation which solution she had been battling with since the commencement of the second phase of the airlift operation.
He stressed that even the intervention of the Nigerian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Dauda Yahaya Lawal achieved little success until the issue was escalated to the highest level of Government before the situation was finally resolved.
Nigeria has so far airlifted over 11,000 pilgrims back to Nigeria in 29 flights with tlthe Saudi- owned Flynas operating more than two thirds of the flights.
