Airlifting of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2014 Hajj has commenced at all Federal Airports across the country, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) announced on Monday.
According to FAAN’s spokesperson, Yakubu Dati, on Wednesday September 10th, no fewer than 502 intending pilgrims departed from the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, aboard Max Airlines Kano to Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s Hajj, as part of 5,708 pilgrims scheduled for this year’s Hajj operations from Kano.
Also, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) said about 15,000 pilgrims are expected to participate in this year’s exercise from different parts of the Country. This follows the approval of their visas by the Kingdom embassy.
“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has put measures in place to ensure the safety and security of all Hajj pilgrims within and around the airport during their time of travel.
“As part of this measure,30-seater shuttle buses have been deployed by FAAN in partnership with Skyplus Contracts and Logistic Limited to ease the movement of
pilgrims between domestic to international terminal at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos
“The Authority encourages all pilgrims to cooperate with health officials across the airports during screening and routine checks before boarding.
The Authority also urges all Hajj pilgrims to remain worthy ambassadors of Nigeria in the holy land,” Dati stated.