NAHCON Makes U-Turn, asks pilgrims to pay 40% of $250 increase

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has backed down on its promise that  pilgrims won’t pay extra cost over the $250 increase in airfare. Daily Trust reports that the local airlines involved in Hajj operations had requested that Hajj fare be increased by $250 over the crisis in Sudan, which would require a longer […]

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has backed down on its promise that  pilgrims won’t pay extra cost over the $250 increase in airfare.

Daily Trust reports that the local airlines involved in Hajj operations had requested that Hajj fare be increased by $250 over the crisis in Sudan, which would require a longer travel time to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Sudanese airspace has been shut since crisis erupted in April.

But speaking in Abuja during a training exercise organised for staff of NAHCON, state pilgrim boards and private tour operators,  Zikrullah Hassan, NAHCON Chairman, had assured that the pilgrims would not be asked to bear the additional cost.

UN Human Rights Council meets today as fighting in Sudan continues

“Our local airlines after several negotiations accepted the sum of $250 to the increase in the cost of air ticket for this year’s operation. We are still looking for all avenues to resolve the attendant consequence of this money. We are still paying earnestly for a quick and peace resolution to the conflict in Sudan so that the airspace could be open and there will be a stop to the mindless killing of the people of Sudan.”