FG announces 2013 hajj fares, approved airlines

Federal government has approved the 2013 hajj fares and five airlines selected for the operation, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has said.

A statement signed by NAHCON spokesman, Uba Mana, said the hajj fares which are for the North and South departure zones, are divided into three categories -minimum, medium and maximum hajj fares - with the first category comprising two grouping of pilgrims made up of those with BTA allowance and those without.
The minimum fare without BTA for the northern departure zones is N526, 996.52 while the southern departure zones is N534,369.52.  For the second category - those with BTA - a pilgrim will pay N636, 496.52 and get a BTA of $750 for the Northern departure zones as against last year’s N613,645, while those from the South will pay N643, 869.52 and get $750 as BTA.

NAHCON said pilgrims in the medium category from the Northern departure zones will pay N672, 996.52, while those from the South will pay N680, 369.52 with $1000 as their BTA for each.
For pilgrim on the maximum category, those from the northern departure zones will pay N750, 996.52 while those from the South will pay N758, 369.52 with $1500 each as BTA.
The commission also said the five approved air carriers for the airlift of pilgrims registered under the states include Kabo Air Ltd, Med-View, Max Air, Meridian Air and Skypower Express.
For international pilgrims the federal government approved NAS Air Charter, a Saudi-based airline, and Tradecraft Nigeria Limited while Medview Travel Konsult Ltd, Cargo Zeal Technologies Ltd and Slim Aviation Services Ltd will operate as carriers for pilgrims’ excess luggage.
The commission therefore, called on all the states and other pilgrims’ agencies to speed up the process of collecting the balance of hajj fares from intending pilgrims and remitting same to it to facilitate early conclusion of necessary arrangements.