The Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) has called on the approved hajj air carriers for 2023 Hajj to ensure timely airlift of Nigerian pilgrims.
This was revealed by Mr Ibrahim Muhammed, IHR national coordinator, in a statement in Abuja.
He said the airlift operations differ from the routine international or local flights accustomed to by the selected airliners especially the new entrants – Air Peace, Arik Air, Aero Contractors and Value Air Jet.
The statement said, “Hajj is tied to the day of Arafat and the day of Arafat is not amenable to change like other worldly events that can be delayed or postponed.
“Airlift of Pilgrims constitutes the core aspect of hajj operations because Hajj takes place in Saudi Arabia – as such all registered intending pilgrims must be flown to the holy land to perform the spiritual exercise,’’ Muhammed said.
He urged the selected Airliners to realise that delays would amount to denying the intending pilgrims the opportunity to perform rituals of the hajj as and when due.
He called on the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to ensure full implementations of all the service agreements with the airliners, adding that plans should be on ground to replace erring airliners.
“NAHCON should understand that Nigerians and Hajj stakeholders will hold them responsible if they fail to act when service providers fail in delivering their assigned responsibilities,’’ he said.
Mr Muhammed also called on the traditional Air Carriers to avoid using one plane in carrying intending pilgrims from two or three countries during hajj operations.
