PHOTOS: NAHCON boss inspects pilgrils airlift flagoff arrangements, as Flynas aircraft arrives Kebbi Airport
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
Flynas, the Saudi Arabian airline and one of three carriers selected to conduct the 2024 Hajj airlifting, was punctual at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport (SABIA) in Birnin Kebbi at 10:39pm (Nigerian time) Tuesday May 14, 2024, ready to transport pilgrims embarking on the sacred journey of Hajj to Saudi Arabia.
These were the words of Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director, Public Affairs of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), as contained in a statement dated May 15 and copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER on Wednesday.
NAHCON Chairman, Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, was on ground to inspect the aircraft in the company of his three permanent Commissioners and member representing North West.
Also among the entourage were few members of the NAHCON management staff.
The FlyNas team at the inspection was led by Malam Umar Kaila, FlyNas representative in Nigeria.
During his inspection of the aircraft, Malam Arabi advised the airport management to provide additional boarding stairs for the aircraft’s back door to facilitate quicker boarding.
The Flynas aircraft, a modern vessel with 436 seats, is scheduled to depart SABIA between 12:00pm an 1: 00pm depending on when the ceremonial event marking the flagoff of the airlift ends.
Nigerian Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to grace the inaugural fight ceremony as the Special Guest of Honor.
Chairman Malam Jalal Ahmad Arabi expressed his satisfaction with the preparations on ground and commended the collaborative efforts of all involved parties.
Meanwhile, in a dinner party organised by the Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, in honor of the NAHCON Chairman, the Governor expressed appreciation that for the first time, Kebbi State is hosting an inaugural flight for Hajj.
Both the host and special guest appreciated each other for the inaugural flight project.
The Governor added that he will continue to support NAHCON and his pilgrims even in Saudi Arabia during the Hajj.
Earlier, the NAHCON Chairman inspected Abuja’s Bassa Jiwa Hajj Transit Camp and the Birnin Kebbi Hajj camp to ascertain the arrangements already on ground for the airlift commencement.
He was accompanied on both occasions by the respective Executive Secretaries of the State Pilgrims’ Boards; Malam Abubakar Adamu Evuti for FCT and Alhaji Faruku Aliyu Enabo for Kebbi State. The Chairman commended them for jobs well done.
Three flights are scheduled to depart Nigeria for Saudi Arabia today with Air Peace scheduled to depart by 11: 30am with 310 FCT pilgrims and five officials while Max Air departs by 1:10pm with 550 Nasarawa pilgrims and 10 officials.
Both carriers will takeoff from Abuja international airport.
Photos of the inso3ction event below:
National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Boss, Mal. Jalal Arabi accompanied by the management team, visited Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Kebbi to oversee the positioning of the Airbus A330-900neo aircraft of FlyNas, ahead of today’s inaugural flight to Saudi Arabia for #Hajj1445/2024
