ABUJA – The Flynas Airline, contracted to transport 9,500 Muslim pilgrims from Abuja and Kaduna zones, has successfully completed the transportation of pilgrims in Abuja zone.
The country Managing Director of the airline, Alhaji Umar Kaila, made this known to State House correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday.
He expressed the hope that the transportation of the pilgrims in Kaduna zone would also be completed in two days.
‘‘In total we have 9,500 pilgrims to airlift (transport) this year.
“So far, Flynas has successfully concluded airlifting of all the pilgrims allocated to us in Abuja as at yesterday (Sept. 15) and we have only about three or four flies to conclude our operation as well,’’ he said.
He said the airline was using four aircraft for the smooth transportation of pilgrims from Abuja and Kaduna zones.
Kaila assured that adequate arrangements had been made by the company to ensure that the pilgrims were returned with their luggage after the Hajj as agreed.
He, however, solicited the cooperation of the pilgrims and the State officials to achieve the feat.
He identified failure to turn out on time on the part of some pilgrims, delay in processing intending pilgrims’ Basic Travelling Allowances as some of the problems encountered so far.
He, however, expressed delight at the manner in which the National Hajj Commission and State officials helped in resolving the challenges.
He also commended the way and manner the Abuja pilgrims conducted themselves during the exercise and called on those from Kaduna zone to emulate their Abuja counterparts to ensure smooth operation. [eap_ad_1] According to him, with four dedicated aircraft, Flynas Airlines has the capacity to live up to expectation in future.
Kaila enjoined the pilgrims to shun any act capable of tarnishing the image of Nigeria while performing their religious obligation in Saudi Arabia.
He also called on them to pray for peace and progress of the country, saying this had become imperative in view of the fact that the 2015 general elections were fast approaching.
On the return journey of the pilgrims, the managing director stated that 1,600 pilgrims would be transported daily after the pilgrimage.
The Saudi-based company, Flynas Airlines, is being contracted for the first time to transport Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.(NAN)
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