NAHCON announces 2013 Hajj fares

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has announced the approved fares for the 2013 pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
In a statement issued by Alhaji Uba Mana, the Public Relations Officer of NAHCON, in Abuja on Sunday, the commission said pilgrims would be flown from the northern and southern departure zones.
Pilgrims travelling from the northern and southern zones in the maximum fare category of N750,996.52 and N758,369.52 respectively, would travel with Basic Travel Allowance of $1,500, the statement said.
It said those on the medium fare category travelling from the North would pay N672,996.52, while those from the South would pay N680,369.52.
The commission said the medium category travellers would get $1,000.
The minimum fare for pilgrims departing from the Northern zone is N636,496.52, while those departing from the Southern zone would pay N643,869.52 .
This group of travellers will get $750 BTA.
The statement adds that minimum fares for pilgrims departing from the Northern and Southern zones without BTA are N526,996.52 and 534,369.52 respectively.
The statement also said that the Federal Government had approved Kabo Air, Med-view, Max Air, Meridian Airlines and Skypower Express Airways for the transportation of pilgrims from each airline’s operating base.
NAS Air charter, a Saudi Arabia-based Airline, and Trade craft Nigeria Limited have been approved as carriers for the international pilgrims through tour operators.
The Med-view Travel Konsult Limited, Cargo Zeal Technologies Limited and Slim Aviation Services Limited were approved as pilgrims’ excess luggage carriers, the statement said.
It requested that states and other pilgrims’ agencies speed up the process of collecting the balance of the Hajj fares from intending pilgrims and remit same to NAHCON to facilitate early conclusion of necessary arrangements.
NAHCON plans to transport 76,000 pilgrims to the Holy Land for the 2013 Hajj operations.