Ongoing Strike Won’t Affect Airlift of Intending Pilgrims – NAHCON
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria ( NAHCON), has revealed that the ongoing nationwide strike will not in any form affect the Hajj Airlift, assuring that all Intending Pilgrims will be transported to Saudi Arabia before 10 of June , 2024 .
This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by NAHCON and signed by the Assistant Director / Public Affairs , Fatima Sanda Usara .
The statement indicated that intending Pilgrims were being airlifted as scheduled , while carriers also deployed the agreed number of aircraft for the exercise.
The statement stated further that NAHCON runs a minimum of four flights daily and maximum of six flights depending on the schedule.
Its also allayed the fears of concerned pilgrims on the possibility of being airlifted, noting that the Airline in charge has provided two operational aircraft with one on a standby.
The statement reads “By day 19 of the 2024 Hajj airlift, 37,102 pilgrims have been airlifted to Saudi Arabia , this number excludes officials and other Hajj industry stakeholders involved in the Hajj
operations”
“The Hajj flights have been departing as planned, about 13, 176 pilgrims are yet to be airlifted and this number would have reduced before the end of today”
“A breakdown of the states yet to conclude the airlift shows one more flight each
remaining from the following locations: Kaduna, Gombe, Borno, Zamfara, Adamawa, Kebbi and FCT with 33 pilgrims on ground. All South-South states will be airlifted in one flight with seats residue yet.
“Taraba with a little over 1,000 pilgrims is yet to commence airlift as scheduled , while Kwara, Jigawa, Niger and Sokoto are continuing with airlift of their pilgrims steadily on course.
“While the strike embarked upon by the organized Labour is causing
apprehension among some concerned pilgrims, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria wishes to assure pilgrims and other concerned Muslims that the strike action will not affect the Hajj airlift.
” From NAHCON’s projection, all pilgrims will be transported to Saudi Arabia before 10 of June 2024″ The statement added .