FG reviews 1978 Nigeria-Saudi air service agreement to secure more Hajj slots
The Federal Government has initiated a review of the 1978 Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. The aim is to secure additional flight slots for Nigerian airlines to facilitate the transportation of pilgrims during the upcoming Hajj.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made the announcement on Thursday following a meeting with pivotal stakeholders regarding Nigeria’s Hajj aviation plans.
The meeting was convened in response to a directive from Vice President Kashim Shettima, highlighting the preparations necessary for the upcoming Hajj operations.
“Following a directive from the Vice President, H.E. Kashim Shettima (GCON), regarding the forthcoming Hajj operation, I convened a meeting in my office with the Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Adamu Kambari, in attendance,” Keyamo stated.
Attendees included Ismail Abba Yusuf, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, as well as representatives from airlines participating in Hajj flights.
Keyamo noted that the discussions centered on strategies to enhance the capacity of Nigerian air carriers to transport more pilgrims for the Hajj.
“We discussed ways to negotiate a larger quota of pilgrims to be airlifted by our flag carriers for Hajj operations, while ensuring that Nigerian pilgrims receive the fairness and respect they deserve,” he said.
The minister also revealed that a joint technical team has been established to review both the 1978 BASA and a 2015 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
“A joint technical team has now been tasked with reviewing the 1978 BASA and the 2015 MOU, so we can engage diplomatically with Saudi authorities,” Keyamo explained.
The 1978 BASA outlines the framework for air services between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, whereas the 2015 MOU includes provisions for the shared responsibility of transporting Nigerian pilgrims by air each year.
