The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has commenced a three-day screening of airlines and excess luggage carriers that applied to provide services to Nigerian pilgrims during 2016 Hajj.

According to Alhaji Uba Mana, Head of Media of NAHCON nine air carriers and four excess luggage carriers made the list at the opening of application forms.

It said that the carriers to be screened were, Azman Air Services, Chanchangi Airlines, Dornier AIEP, Fly-Nas, Kabo Air Limited, Max Air Limited, Med-View Airlines, Skypower Express Airways Limited and Top Brass.

According to the statement, applicants as excess luggage carriers were, Cargo Zeal Technologies Limited, Evergreen and White, Med-View International Travels and Cargo and NAHCOH Aviance.

The statement said that the Chairman of the Commission, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad, urged the screening committee to ensure transparency and due process.

This, he said would enable the committee to select capable and experienced airline operators.

He expressed confidence in the ability of the committee made up of aviation experts to deliver.

The chairman informed the applicants of the insistence of the Saudi Government on full implementation of the e-track system.

He also informed them of the demand that all the airliners must secure their Saudi-bound slots before the end of April.

Muhammad said that the commission has issued new guidelines for some activities for 2016 Hajj, including guidelines on pilgrims’ accommodation in Mecca and Medina.

‎”The guidelines include that on 2016 pilgrims feeding, unified pilgrims registration and licensing of State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Agencies and Commissions.”

He thanked the Federal government, the National Assembly and all relevant organs of the government for their support.

Muhammad assured that the commission would achieve greater success in the 2016 Hajj.

The Chairman of the Screening Committee and NAHCON Commissioner of Operations, Alhaji Abdullahi Saleh, promised to give equal opportunity to all the applicants.

The committee was made up of the three Executive Commissioners of NAHCON, Board members representing the six geopolitical zones and representative of the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Others include, representatives from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), NAMA, NIMET, AIPB, Customs, ICPC and EFCC as well as officials of Osun, Kano, Nasarawa States and the FCT.