Abuja: Flynas, a Saudi-designated Nigerian Hajj carrier, announced its plans to commence the transportation of pilgrims from Ogun and Kebbi states back to Nigeria on Thursday. This announcement was made in a statement signed by Mr. Mahmood Muhammad Abande of the Flynas Media Office.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the operation will be carried out using six A330 wide-body Boeing aircraft deployed by Flynas. The first flight will return the initial group of Ogun state pilgrims from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to the newly established Gateway International Airport in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Simultaneously, the first batch of Kebbi state pilgrims will be flown from Jeddah to Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State. On June 5, two additional flights are scheduled from Jeddah to Abeokuta and Birnin Kebbi.
Mr. Abande cited Alhaji Umar Kaila, Managing Director/CEO of First Planet Travels Ltd., and General Sales Agent for Flynas in Nigeria, who confir
med that all arrangements for a seamless operation had been finalized, adhering to international best practices. Kaila highlighted the airline’s efficiency during the outbound operation, having transported 11,342 pilgrims and officials to Saudi Arabia in 30 flights over a span of two weeks. Flynas has also facilitated the delivery of 13,832 units of five-litre Zamzam water bottles to Nigeria in preparation for the pilgrims’ return.
Furthermore, the Flynas Coordinator of Operations, Malam Ahmad Ruma, convened with the airline’s ground staff in Makkah to review operational procedures and logistics. Ruma emphasized maintaining professionalism and ethical standards in managing pilgrims’ luggage and operations at both the airport and accommodation facilities in Makkah.