Flight delays are lamented by Hajj travelers, blame Arik

Nigerian Hajj pilgrims complained on Saturday that they were stuck at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and blamed Arik Air for missing its flight.

Numerous aspiring pilgrims have been camping at Mosques and other open spaces near the airport since Tuesday, it was learned, crippling operations of the majority of the foreign hajj operators operating in the Lagos zone of the Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria.

Hundreds of pilgrims were gathered around the terminal building entrance on Wednesday and Thursday during a visit to the new MMIA airport. Frustrated and powerless, they bemoaned the lack of comfort and convenience they had been experiencing for days.

It was discovered that aspiring pilgrims planned to protest the airline’s office for how they had been treated.

The PR & Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, said in a statement that the problems were being investigated.

It partly read, “The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria selected Arik Air as the carrier to work with the tour operators for this year’s hajj exercise. The airline was allocated about 10,000 pilgrims spread across Abuja, Lagos and Kano.

“We commenced the airlift of pilgrims in both Abuja and Lagos on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 and we have carried 374 passengers to date. The issues involved in the smooth operation of the airlift are currently being addressed by all parties involved; Arik Air, NAHCON and the Tour Operators.”

Arik Air in the statement assured the pilgrims that as soon as they “resolve the issues within the next 24 hours, the airlift will resume simultaneously in Abuja, Lagos and Kano.”

It added, “We appeal for the understanding of all concerned and apologise for the inconvenience the slow pace of airlift may have caused the intending pilgrims and all the parties involved.”