FG approves four airlines for 2025 hajj

The federal government has approved four airlines as official carriers for the 2025 hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

Abdullahi Usman, chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), listed the airlines in a statement signed by Fatima Usara, the commission’s spokesperson, on Sunday in Abuja.

Usman listed the approved carriers as Air Peace Ltd., Fly-Nas (a Saudi-designated airline), Max Air, and UMZA Aviation Services Ltd.

He said the four airlines were picked from 11 companies that applied to airlift Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

The chairman added that the selection process was handled by a 32-member aviation screening committee inaugurated on November 26, 2024.

Usman said the committee was made up of representatives from the state pilgrims’ welfare boards, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

He added that personnel from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) were also included.

Representatives from the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and NAHCON board members from each geopolitical zone were also part of the team.

He noted that NAHCON’s heads of aviation, procurement, legal, internal audit, and special duties, as well as a board member representing the aviation industry, also participated in the process.

The chairman said three companies have also been selected as excess cargo carriers for the hajj operations.

He named the companies as Aglow Aviation Support Services Ltd., Cargozeal Technology Ltd., and Qualla Investment Ltd.

Usman congratulated the successful companies and urged them to meet their obligations as agreed during the screening.

The chairman also confirmed that Nigeria has signed the 2025 hajj Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Usman signed on behalf of the federal government, while Saudi Arabia was represented by Abdulfatah Masahat, deputy minister of hajj and umrah.

The ceremony marked the formalisation of this year’s hajj arrangements.