Flynas, a Saudi-designated Nigerian hajj air carrier, has arrived at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport (SABIA) in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State for the airlift of the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
The airline landed at the Birnin Kebbi airport Tuesday night around 10:30pm, and is billed to airlift the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims to Madinah for 2024 hajj pilgrimage.
The Flynas aircraft, a modern vessel with 436 seats, is scheduled to depart Birnin Kebbi between 12pm to 1pm depending on when the ceremonial event marking the beginning of the airlift ends.
Vice Presiden Kashim Shettima is expected to grace the inaugural fight ceremony as the Special Guest of Honor.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, the Managing Director of First Planet Travels — the General Sales Agent (GSA) of Flynas in Nigeria — Alhaji Umar Kaila said the airline has perfected arrangement to ensure a smooth and seamless airlift operation in Nigeria.
Flynas will airlift pilgrims from Borno, Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Niger, Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe and Zamfara states.
The Saudi airline has been in Nigeria since 2014 as part of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
NAHCON chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi expressed his satisfaction with the preparations and commended the collaborative efforts of all involved parties.
Mr Arabi was on ground to inspect the aircraft in the company of his three permanent commissioners. The Flynas team at the inspection was led by Mr Kaila.
Mr Arabi advised the airport management to the provide additional boarding stairs for the aircraft’s back door to facilitate quicker boarding.
