2023 HAJJ:
NAHCON announces six different fares, domestic operators exclusively to airlift pilgrims on 21st May
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Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, has announced six different fares for the 2023 hajj.
The fares range between N2.99m and N2.88m per person. The variation in fare is said to depend on the geographical location from where each of the pilgrims would be departing.
The NAHCON Chairman, Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, who made this known over the weekend also announced that the inaugural flight for the 2023 hajj would take off on the 21st of May 2023.
While those who choose the hajj saving scheme are hereby informed that the portal would close by the 21st of April 2023.
Hassan attributed the steep increment in fare to inflation in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. He explained that the 2023 Hajj fares had six (6) different cost categories for pilgrims according to their states of embarkation.
He said pilgrims that would take off from Maiduguri and Yola, in Bornu and Taraba states, will pay airfare of N2.88m. While pilgrims from other northern states would pay N2.89m.
The NAHCON Chairman said further that pilgrims from the Southern part of the country such as Edo State, and the other states in the South-South region, and South East would pay N2.943m.
He added that pilgrims from Ekiti, and Ondo States would pay N2.919m. While the fare for pilgrims from Cross River would pay N2.943m.
Hassan said that the highest fare of N2.99m would be paid by pilgrims taking off from Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states respectively.
He however explained the rationale for the fare disparity saying it is informed by the distance of each point of embarkation in the country and the difference in the distance to Saudi Arabia.
The NAHCON Chairman explained that “the disparity in the price is because states in the north are closer to Saudi Arabia than the states in the south and also the accommodation secured by each state also determines the amount they would pay”, he said.
HAJJ AIR FARES RANGE:
**Bornu/Taraba States-: N2.88m
**Other Northern States-: N2.89m
**Ekiti/Ondo States-: N2.919m
**Cross River State-: N2.943m
**South-S/South East/Edo state-: N2.96m
**Lagos/Ogun/Oyo/Osun states-: N2.99m
REFLECTION OF PATRIOTISM IN THE CHOICE OF AIR CARRIER
What gladdens air transport stakeholders the most, is the choice of domestic carriers to do exclusively, the lifting of Nigerian pilgrims to the holy land. A far departure from the contraptions experienced in the past.
Hazzan listed seven domestic airlines that have been approved to do the various airlifting of pilgrims.
He said the airlines approved for airlifting of pilgrims from various states in the federation are; Air Peace, Azman Air, Fly Nas, Aero Contractor, and Max Air.
However, some sections of aviation stakeholders still queried the inclusion of Fly Nas. They reasoned that the money Nigerian pilgrims would spend in the holy land should suffice while Nigerian airlines should be granted exclusive rights to airlift Nigerian pilgrims.
Others which include Arik Air and Value jet he said were approved to render chartered service for private tour operators.
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