The Federal Government has commenced a review of the 1978 Bilateral Air Services Agreement between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia as part of efforts to secure more airlift slots for Nigerian airlines during Hajj operations.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this on Thursday following a stakeholder meeting on Nigeria’s Hajj aviation strategy. The meeting followed a directive from Vice President Kashim Shettima concerning preparations for the forthcoming Hajj operation.

The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mahmud Adamu Kambari; Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Ismail Abba Yusuf; Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Olubunmi Kuku; and Hajj airline operators.

Keyamo said discussions focused on securing a larger quota of pilgrims for Nigerian flag carriers to airlift during Hajj operations while ensuring that Nigerian pilgrims received fair treatment.

He said a joint technical team had been constituted to review the 1978 BASA and a 2015 Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

According to the minister, the review would enable Nigeria to engage Saudi authorities diplomatically on arrangements for the transportation of Nigerian pilgrims.

The 1978 Bilateral Air Services Agreement provides the framework governing air services between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, while the 2015 memorandum sets out arrangements concerning the sharing of the annual airlift of Nigerian pilgrims.

The Federal Government’s review is expected to support efforts to increase the participation of Nigerian airlines in transporting pilgrims during future Hajj operations.