The Federal Government has approved four airlines to serve as official carriers for Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
This announcement was made by the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Usman, in a statement released by the commission’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Mrs Fatima Usara, on Sunday in Abuja.
Prof. Usman revealed that the approved airlines—Air Peace Ltd., Fly-Nas (a Saudi-designated airline), Max Air, and UMZA Aviation Services Ltd.—were selected from 11 companies that applied for the role.
The screening and selection process was conducted by a 32-member Aviation Screening Committee inaugurated by NAHCON on November 26, 2024. The committee included representatives from State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and other aviation and regulatory bodies such as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
Additionally, members of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and NAHCON Board representatives from each geopolitical zone participated in the screening. Key NAHCON officials, including its Heads of Aviation, Procurement, Legal, Internal Audit, and Special Duties, also contributed to the process.
Prof. Usman also announced the approval of three excess cargo carriers for the 2025 Hajj operations: Aglow Aviation Support Services Ltd., Cargozeal Technology Ltd., and Qualla Investment Ltd.
Congratulating the successful companies, the NAHCON chairman urged them to meet their obligations as outlined during the selection process.
Meanwhile, Prof. Usman signed the 2025 Hajj Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, represented by Deputy Minister Dr. Abdulfatah Masahat. The signing ceremony, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, formalized this year’s Hajj arrangements between the two nations.
