Nigeria's 2023 Hajj Participation in Limbo as Airlines Refuse to Sign Airlift Agreement Amid Sudan Crisis

The ongoing crisis in Sudan has placed Nigeria's participation in the 2023 Hajj in Saudi Arabia in peril. On Thursday, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) faced a setback when the four Nigerian airlines that were approved to fly intending pilgrims from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) declined to sign the airlift agreement. As a result, Nigeria's ability to join the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia is uncertain.

President Muhammadu Buhari approved a list of airlines, which included Air Peace, Azman Air, Aero Contractors, and Max Air, alongside the Saudi Arabian airline, Fly Nas, to sign an agreement with the Hajj body. However, during the scheduled signing, only Fly Nas signed the agreement, despite being assigned 40% of the 95,000 intending Nigerian pilgrims.

The Chairman/CEO of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, explained that the airlines refused to sign due to the ongoing crisis in Sudan. The situation required the airlines to look for alternative routes to fly to and from Saudi Arabia, bypassing Sudan.

According to the report, the four Nigerian airlines were assigned pilgrims to transport to the Holy Land. The pilgrim allocation for each airline was specified as follows: Max Air with 16,326, Air Peace with 11,348, Azman Air with 8,660, and Aero Contractors with 7,833.

NAHCON has adjourned till Tuesday, May 9, to deliberate further with the Nigerian airlines that declined to sign the agreement, he added:

“Their representatives did inform me that they will be coming to discuss with us, with their Chairmen or Chief Executives Officers where we intend to have more in-depth discussions before we come to an agreement.

“The reason why it is delayed is because of the Sudan crisis. We have been told that the Sudan airspace has been shut down.”

The Prospect of Ceasefire 

According to Mr. Hassan, it was revealed that the airlines will be required to take an alternative route that appears to be longer than the previous route that passed through Sudan, he stated:

“We are hopeful that the Sudan conflict will abate and if it does, it means that we will go back to where we are.”

“We have planned our agreement prior to the Sudan crisis and we know that as we speak, there is a ceasefire in Sudan.”

“We will keep on working with the understanding that the ceasefire will work and the crisis will come to an end so pilgrims from all over the world will able to transit through Sudan to Saudi Arabia.”

Alhaji Abdullahi Magaji-Hardawa, NAHCON's Commissioner of Operations, has confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari granted a waiver of 65% on all aviation-related charges for the Nigerian airlines authorized to convey pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. He stated that they recommended the waiver to the president, and he graciously approved it.

“Now the challenges of crisis in Sudan are confronting us and it is threatening the success of hajj operations.”

“The airlines are business entities and they are partners in this dispensation.”

“We want them to happily participate in the hajj operation and profitably.”

“We have seven airlines approved by Buhari for this year’s hajj. Two airlines are dedicated to the pilgrims under the Tour Operators.”, He said 

Overall, The ongoing crisis in Sudan has created uncertainty for Nigeria's participation in the 2023 Hajj in Saudi Arabia. The refusal of the four Nigerian airlines approved to fly intending pilgrims from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to sign the airlift agreement due to the Sudan crisis has led to the uncertainty. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has adjourned till May 9 to deliberate further with the airlines that declined to sign the agreement. The hope is that the Sudan conflict will abate, and if it does, the airlines can go back to the original route that passed through Sudan. However, President Muhammadu Buhari has granted a waiver of 65% on all aviation-related charges for the Nigerian airlines authorized to convey pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, and NAHCON is working to ensure the success of the hajj operation.