TheCable

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has assured pilgrims and their relatives that the indefinite suspension of Max Air operations will not affect the ongoing airlifting exercise from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria.

In a statement on Thursday, Musa Ubandawaki, deputy director of information and publication, said the suspension affects only Max Air domestic operations.

Max Air is among the approved airlines by the federal government to airlift over 16,000 pilgrims to and from Saudi for the 2023 Hajj exercise.

He said the commission will continue to use the slots made available to them by Saudi aviation to return Nigerian pilgrims home.

“Consequent upon the indefinite suspension of Max Air domestic operations by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), it is imperative to clarify that the suspension does not and won’t affect the ongoing hajj airlift operation in Saudi Arabia,” the statement reads.

“The clarification became necessary to assuage and calm the pilgrims and relatives back at home that the suspension order is limited to their domestic air services which does not affect their charter and international operations.

“This is because the clamp down was on the airline’s boeing 737 aircraft which has been the crux of the NCAA audit query for some time. The aircraft being used for airlift of Nigerian pilgrims is not the same as the one on their domestic route.

“Therefore, the commission wishes to assure all Nigerians and the pilgrims in particular, that the ongoing airlift of Nigerian pilgrims will continue undisturbed and that the airline will continue to utilize the slots allocated to it by the Saudi General Authority in Civil Aviation (GACA) unhindered.”

He commended Nigerians and pilgrims for their patience and assured that the commission will ensure all pilgrims are airlifted home soon.