FG approves four airlines for 2025 Hajj pilgrimage transportation

The Federal Government has approved four airlines to serve as official carriers for Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This announcement was made by Prof. Abdullahi Usman, Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), in a statement released by Mrs. Fatima Usara, Assistant Director of Information and Publication, on Sunday in Abuja.

Out of 11 companies that submitted applications, four airlines were selected following a rigorous screening process. The approved carriers are:

Air Peace Ltd.

Fly-Nas (a Saudi Arabia-designated airline)

Max Air

UMZA Aviation Services Ltd.

Screening Process

The selection process involved a 32-member Aviation Screening Committee inaugurated by NAHCON on November 26, 2024. The committee included representatives from:

State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards

Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)

Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA)

Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET)

Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB)

Nigerian Customs Service (NCS)

Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)

Other members included NAHCON board representatives from all geo-political zones, aviation industry experts, and NAHCON officials from aviation, legal, and audit departments.

Cargo Carriers

In addition, three companies were approved as excess cargo carriers for the Hajj operations:

Aglow Aviation Support Services Ltd.

Cargozeal Technology Ltd.

Qualla Investment Ltd.

Formalizing Hajj Operations

Prof. Usman also signed the 2025 Hajj Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of the Nigerian Government with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The signing ceremony, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was led by Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Abdulfatah Masahat.

Call for Commitment

Prof. Usman congratulated the successful airlines and urged them to honor their commitments to ensure smooth Hajj operations.