FlyNas to fly Ogun, Armed Forces pilgrims for 2017 Hajj

Ahead of the commencement of airlift of intending pilgrims for the 2017 Hajj, pilgrims from Ogun State and Armed Forces would be airlifted by the Saudi Arabian carrier, FlyNas and not Med-View Airline which usually conveyed them, our reporter learnt today. The withdrawal of Ogun and Armed Forces pilgrims from Med-View is part of the […]

Ahead of the commencement of airlift of intending pilgrims for the 2017 Hajj, pilgrims from Ogun State and Armed Forces would be airlifted by the Saudi Arabian carrier, FlyNas and not Med-View Airline which usually conveyed them, our reporter learnt today.

The withdrawal of Ogun and Armed Forces pilgrims from Med-View is part of the implementation of the quota system which allocates certain percentage of the pilgrims to FlyNas.

It was learnt that Saudi Arabia, being the only country where Hajj is performed, has a royal decree giving Saudi Designated Carriers (not Flynas alone) the right to airlift 50 per cent of Hajj Traffic under Government quota from any country coming for Hajj.

However, following a memorandum of understanding Nigeria had with Saudi, the quota system is being implemented in phases beginning with 25 percent in 2015, 35 percent in 2016, 45 percent in 2017 and ultimately 50 per cent in 2018.

There are three Nigerian carriers- Med-View Airline, Max Air and Azman approved by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.

This implies that FlyNas would airlift 45 percent of the pilgrims while the three indigenous carriers will share the remaining 55 percent.

In line with the phased implementation, Ogun and Armed Forces pilgrims which have been going with Med-View have now been handed over to FlyNas amidst grumbling and protest.

A member of the Ogun State Pilgrims’ Board, Imam Mikaheel Rufai told Daily Trust that the board is not comfortable with the arrangement, saying, “Give us Med-View Airline, we are used to the carrier. We don’t know FlyNas. This is our plea. We have been using Med-View Airline and we are comfortable with their services, so why changing the carrier for us”.