Hajj: CSO asks FG, states to subsidise flight prices for intending pilgrims

The Independent Hajj Reporters, a civil society organisation, has asked the federal and state governments to subsidise the prices of flight tickets for Nigerians intending to embark on hajj exercise.

The organisation is responsible for monitoring and reporting activities of Hajj in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

In a statement on Saturday, Ibrahim Muhammed, national coordinator of the organisation, said the federal and state governments should each pay 50  percent of the additional price earlier added to flight prices of intending pilgrims.

The National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) had earlier said the Nigerian airlines have approved an increase of flight prices for this year’s intending pilgrims by $250.

The commission said the hajj fares increase was due to the closure of Sudan’s airspace caused by the ongoing crisis in the country.

Muhammed said it is less than 10 days before the airlifting of intending pilgrims, adding that it would be difficult to pay additional prices as they have already made complete payment for the hajj exercise.

“Having paid the approved Hajj fare, we know Nigerian Muslims or Nigerian intending pilgrims would have to pay the differences in the air tickets if time permits; but we are worried that with less than 10 days to the commencement of airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, asking pilgrims to pay the difference at this time will definitely derail the airlift exercise,” the statement reads.

“We appeal that the federal government takes 50 percent while states pay the balance of 50 percent for the numbers of intending pilgrims from their states.

“President Muhammadu Buhari had approved Saudi-based Flynas and other Nigerian airlines including Max Air, Air Peace, Azman Air, Aero contractors, Arik Air and Value Jet to fly Nigerian pilgrims.

“While the first five were selected to fly pilgrims from the 36 states and FCT, Arik and Value Jet were selected to offer charter services to pilgrims travelling through private tour operators.

“So far, only Saudi’s Flynas agreed to airlift the pilgrims at the pre–Sudan crisis air ticket price. Flynas is to transport 28, 515. The local airliners that demand for upward review of air tickets are Max Air with 16,326 allocations, Air Peace 11,348, Azman Air 8,660 and Aero Contractors with 7,833 leaving the fate of remaining 44, 167 states Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards pilgrims in apparent uncertainty.

“The closure of the Sudanese airspace will compel airlines to fly through longer routes to Saudi Arabia which will  take approximately seven hours instead of the usual four hours plus. This unfortunate development has added another two to three hours flight time to the existing airlift cost template for Nigerian Intending pilgrims.

“While we commend the federal government’s efforts in evacuating Nigerians who are stranded in Sudan, we appeal to the government to extend the same gesture to Nigerian intending pilgrims by subsidizing the 2023 Hajj air ticket.”