The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved four airlines to serve as official air carriers for Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2025 Hajj.
In a statement on Sunday, the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Usman, announced that 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 committee inaugurated by NAHCON on November 26, 2024. The committee included representatives from State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other aviation and regulatory agencies such as NAMA, NIMET, and the NSIB. Additional members were drawn from the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), along with NAHCON board members representing different geopolitical zones.
In addition to the approved airlines, three excess cargo carriers—Aglow Aviation Support Services Ltd., Cargozeal Technology Ltd., and Qualla Investment Ltd.—were selected to support the operations.
Prof. Usman congratulated the successful companies and urged them to deliver on their commitments during the upcoming Hajj season.
Meanwhile, NAHCON formalized its 2025 Hajj engagements by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The agreement was signed by Prof. Usman on behalf of the Nigerian government and Dr. Abdulfatah Masahat, Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, representing Saudi Arabia.
