FG Approves Four Airlines for 2025 Hajj Operations

The Federal Government has officially approved four airlines to serve as 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 the selection was made from 11 companies that applied to handle the transportation of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

The approved airlines are **Air Peace Ltd**, **Fly-Nas** (a Saudi Arabia-designated airline), **Max Air**, and **UMZA Aviation Services Ltd.**

Prof. Usman revealed that a 32-member Aviation Screening Committee, inaugurated by NAHCON on November 26, 2024, handled the evaluation and selection process. The committee included representatives from State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, three members from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and one representative each from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Other members were drawn from the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB). Representatives from the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), NAHCON’s Board Members, and Heads of Aviation, Procurement, Legal, Internal Audit, and Special Duties also participated in the screening process.

Additionally, three cargo carriers were approved to handle excess luggage for the Hajj operations. They include **Aglow Aviation Support Services Ltd**, **Cargozeal Technology Ltd**, and **Qualla Investment Ltd.**

Prof. Usman congratulated the successful companies and urged them to deliver on their commitments as promised during the screening process.

In a related development, Prof. Usman signed the 2025 Hajj Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah on behalf of the Nigerian government. The signing ceremony, which formalized this year’s Hajj engagements, took place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Abdulfatah Masahat, representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.