The Federal Government has selected four airlines—Air Peace, Fly-Nas, Max Air, and UMZA Aviation—to transport pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially approved four airlines to serve as air carriers for the transportation of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage.
The announcement was made by the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Usman, via a statement from Mrs. Fatima Usara, the Assistant Director of Information and Publication at NAHCON.
According to Prof. Usman, the approved airlines are Air Peace Ltd., Fly-Nas (a Saudi-designated airline), Max Air, and UMZA Aviation Services Ltd.
These carriers were chosen from a pool of 11 applicants following a rigorous screening process.
Transparent Screening Process
A 32-member Aviation Screening Committee, inaugurated on November 26, 2024, conducted the selection process.
The committee included representatives from State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and other key aviation and regulatory agencies such as:
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)
Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA)
Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET)
Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB)
Nigerian Customs Service (NCS)
Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)
Additionally, NAHCON board members representing the nation’s geopolitical zones and its aviation, legal, and audit teams also contributed to the evaluation process.
Cargo Carriers Approved
In addition to passenger carriers, three companies were selected as excess cargo carriers for the pilgrimage: Aglow Aviation Support Services Ltd., Cargozeal Technology Ltd., and Qualla Investment Ltd.
MoU with Saudi Arabia
Meanwhile, Prof. Usman signed the 2025 Hajj Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of Nigeria with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
The agreement was formalized during a ceremony in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, attended by the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Abdulfatah Masahat.
Prof. Usman congratulated the successful airlines and urged them to deliver on their commitments during the Hajj operations.
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