Saudi-based airlines FlyNas and Flyadeal, along with nine Nigerian-based airlines and aviation companies, have entered the competition to airlift pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj.
The Nigerian aviation companies participating include Air Peace, GYRO Air Limited, Max Air Ltd, Nahco Aviance, Tarco Aviation, Umra Airline Limited, UMZA Aviation Services Limited, Value Jet, and Trebet Aviation Ltd.
In addition, five cargo companies—Aglow Aviation Support Services Limited, Cargo Zeal Technologies, Qualla Investment, Kiswah Logistics Services Limited, and Sokodeke Global Travels and Cargo—have applied to handle the conveyance of pilgrims’ excess luggage during the pilgrimage.
The bidding process commenced on Tuesday in Abuja, as the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) began the screening and licensing process for the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims in 2025.
NAHCON spokesperson Fatima Sanda Usara in a statement said the process set the pace for a series of activities that will culminate in the selection of pilgrims’ air carriers and excess luggage freighters for the 2025 Hajj exercise.
Earlier, the Chairman of the commission, Professor Abdullahi Usman Saleh inaugurated a 32-man committee entrusted with the responsibility of screening the airlines and cargo companies.
Chaired by the Commissioner in charge of Operations, Inspection, and Licensing (OILS), Prince Anofi Olanrewaju Elegushi, said the committee consists of aviation industry managers as well as stakeholders from the State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, representatives from the Presidency, Security Agencies, and NAHCON staff.
