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 in a statement on Thursday following a meeting with stakeholders on Nigeria’s Hajj aviation strategy.

Keyamo said the meeting was convened following a directive from Vice President Kashim Shettima on the forthcoming Hajj operation.

“Following a directive from the Vice President, H.E. Kashim Shettima (GCON), regarding the forthcoming Hajj operation, yesterday I convened a meeting in my office with the Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Adamu Kambari in attendance,” the minister said.

The meeting was attended by the 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 the meeting focused on securing a larger quota of pilgrims for Nigerian flag carriers to airlift during Hajj operations.

“We discussed ways by which we can negotiate more quota of pilgrims to be airlifted by our flag carriers for Hajj operations whilst ensuring Nigerian pilgrims are treated with the fairness and respect they deserve,” he said.

The minister said a joint technical team had been tasked with reviewing the 1978 BASA and a 2015 memorandum of understanding between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

“A joint technical team has now been tasked with reviewing the 1978 BASA and 2015 MOU so we can diplomatically engage with Saudi authorities,” Keyamo said.

The BASA provides the framework for air services between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, while the 2015 memorandum of understanding sets out arrangements relating to the sharing of the annual airlift of Nigerian pilgrims.