NAHCON approves five airlines for 2027 Hajj airlift

NAHCON urged all stakeholders to cooperate with the designated carriers to ensure a safe, seamless, and comfortable airlift operation for Nigerian pilgrims.

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has approved five airlines to airlift Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2027 Hajj exercise.

The Commission, in a statement on Thursday, said the approval followed a rigorous screening and evaluation by its Aviation Screening Committee.

The assessment, it said, focused on regulatory safety, operational capacity, and financial requirements.

The five approved carriers are Air Peace Limited, Flynas, Max Air Limited, Saudi Air, and UMZA Aviation Services Limited.

NAHCON said the engagement of the airlines remains subject to the execution of airlift agreements with the Commission and fulfilment of requirements set by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA).

Airlines given stricter operational requirements

According to the commission, passenger allocations and flight schedules will be developed in consultation with State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and the respective airlines.

It said the carriers would be required to comply with all regulations governing the 2027 airlift, including issuing tickets linked to pilgrims’ Nusuk-Masar data.

Read statement:

1. Approval of designated air carriers for the 2027 Hajj operations

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) wishes to inform the general public, State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, Agencies, Commissions, and particularly intending pilgrims, that the government has approved the engagement of five air carriers for the 2027 Hajj exercise.

The selection follows a rigorous screening and evaluation process conducted by the Aviation Screening Committee in accordance with regulatory safety, operational capacity, and financial guidelines. The engagement is subject to the execution of an airlift agreement with NAHCON and the fulfilment of the requirements of Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Saudi General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) for Hajj 2027.

2. The approved carriers are:

i. Air Peace Limited.
ii. Flynas.
iii. Max Air Limited.
iv. Saudi Air.
v. UMZA Aviation Services Limited.

3. Passenger allocations and airlift schedules will be worked out with respective State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and operators accordingly. All carriers are expected to operate in line with Hajj 2027 regulations, which include the issuance of tickets linked to pilgrims’ Nusuk-Masar data; strict observance of all safety standards; baggage allowance (a single 32kg bag and one 8kg piece of hand luggage) as stipulated by regulatory authorities, among others.

4. The Commission calls on all stakeholders to cooperate with the approved carriers to ensure a seamless, safe, and comfortable airlift operation for all Nigerian pilgrims.

MANAGEMENT