April 07, (THEWILL) – Seven airlines have been endorsed to convey pilgrims on this year’s Hajj operation, as the least air fare hovers between N2.8m and N2.9m.
The airlines are Air Peace, Azman Air, Flynas, Aero contractors, Max Air, Arik Air and Value Jet.
The carriers were announced on Friday, by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), after approval by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Chairman of NAHCON, Zikrullah Hassan, gave the hint in Abuja, while pegging the hajj fare of each intending pilgrim for 2023 at N2.89m.
The Commission Chairman, while disclosing that the first four Airlines will transport pilgrims from the 36 states, FCT and the Armed Forces, said Arik Air and Value Jet Airlines will provide charter service to pilgrims travelling through private tour operators.
On the air fare, Hassan attributed the increase to inflation in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, stating that the price is of 8 categories, with Borno and Yobe States as the lowest price, while the highest is Lagos and Ogun States, N2.99m.
“Hajj fare has 8 different costs, pilgrims from Maiduguri and Yola, will pay 2.89m other northern states 2.919m. The southern part of the country has six different prices, Edo State and the other states in the South South and South East will pay N2.96m while Ekiti and Ondo States will pay N2.88m, Osun State will pay N2.99m. Cross River to pay N2.943m and Lagos, Ogun and Oyo to pay N2.99m”, he stated.
He explained the disparity in the price is because states in the north are closer to Saudi Arabia than the states in the south and accommodation secured by each state also determines the amount they would pay.
He added that the rise in the fare is not limited to Nigeria alone, as other countries who have declared their hajj fare announced an increase.
“The reason for the increase is due to inflation rate in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, high cost of goods and services in Saudi Arabia and scarcity of aviation fuel. Also, there has been an increase in the exchange of naira to dollar at the official rate, we tried to keep the fare at a minimum level while taking a view of the economic condition of the people going for hajj.
“There is hike from other parts of the world like Ghana, Pakistan, India, Niger among others”, he said.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
