FG reviews 1978 Nigeria-Saudi air service agreement to secure more Hajj slots

The Federal Government has begun reviewing the 1978 Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) betwixt Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to assistance Nigerian airlines unafraid much slots to transport pilgrims during Hajj.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this connected Thursday aft a gathering with cardinal stakeholders connected Nigeria’s Hajj aviation plans.

Keyamo said the gathering followed a directive from Vice President Kashim Shettima connected preparations for the forthcoming Hajj.

“Following a directive from the Vice President, H.E. Kashim Shettima (GCON), regarding the forthcoming Hajj operation, yesterday I convened a gathering successful my bureau with the Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Adamu Kambari successful attendance,” the curate said.

The gathering was attended by the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Ismail Abba Yusuf; the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Olubunmi Kuku; and operators of airlines progressive successful Hajj flights.

According to Keyamo, the gathering focused connected uncovering ways to summation the fig of Nigerian pilgrims that section airlines tin transport during the Hajj.

“We discussed ways by which we tin negociate much quota of pilgrims to beryllium airlifted by our emblem carriers for Hajj operations whilst ensuring Nigerian pil...