Nigeria’s Arik Air has appologised to the scores of its Saudi Arabia bound Muslim pilgrims over the challenges faced by the airline to fly them to the Holy Land as scheduled.
Earlier today, the Muslim pilgrims who formed part of the 10,000 slot granted the airline to airlift to Mecca for the 2023 hajj exercise could not be airlifted by the airline due to some challenges.
The 10,000 pilgrims are spread across Abuja, Lagos and Kano.
To show their grievances,the affected pilgrims stormed the Arik Air office at the domestic airport, protesting against the delayed airlift.
The affected pilgrims are said to be those of the the private tour operators under the umbrella of Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON).
The airline in its apology has however pleaded for the understanding of all concerned over the inconvenience and the slow pace of airlift.
In its statement,the airline declared that it has actually commenced the airlift of pilgrims in both Abuja and Lagos on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 and has therefore 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.
“We hereby assure the pilgrims that as soon as we resolve the issues within the next 24 hours, the airlift will resume simultaneously in Abuja, Lagos and Kano.
“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.”
