2023 Hajj: Airlift of First Batch of Nigerian Pilgrims from Saudi Commences Today 

2023 Hajj: Airlift of First Batch of Nigerian Pilgrims from Saudi Commences Today

Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna,  Northwest, Nigeria

The airlifting of over 95,000 Nigerian pilgrims who performed this year’s Hajj to the holy land back home will commence today, Tuesday, July 4.

Engineer Goni Sanda, head of the aviation committee of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) made the declaration on Sunday night during  the post-Arafat stakeholders meeting for the 2023 Hajj in Makkah.

The pilgrims he stated will be airlifted strictly on the sequence with which they were lifted to the holy land.

Adding that no official or pilgrim is expected to spend less than 40 days in the Saudi Arabia.

The first come, first return principle in line with the Saudi guidelines for the sake of fairness and equity he said will be observed.

While urging that pilgrims and the operators conduct themselves and obey

Saudi Arabian authorities laws, and not involving themselves in excess luggage, all things being equal, the operation he said will be concluded within the same period it took to transport pilgrims from Nigeria.

Newsreservoir also learnt that the leadership of NAHCON has resolved to ensure that pilgrims comply fully by Saudi’s luggage policy.

Emphasizing, the commissioner of operations of the commission, Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa maintained that last year’s experience where many pilgrims and officials breached the rule will not be condoned.

To ease the operation, the commission he stated has introduced a three window approach to luggage handling. The hand luggage of eight kilograms, the thirty-two kilograms luggage and the excess luggage. By this approach, there will be less delay at the airport.

Airline operators he said have expressed concern over non compliance of the law particularly the female pilgrims who go with multiple bags in the name of hand luggage.

He therefore charged officials to inform and educate the pilgrims on these measures to avoid unnecessary problems at the airport.