By Sade Williams
Med-View Airline PLC, a flag carrier for the 2016 Hajj operations, has airlifted over 10,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia in less than two weeks.
While over 9,500 were airlifted from Nigeria, 1000 were airlifted from another West African country, Mali since August 8 when it commenced the airlift.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole disclosed this on Sunday during the annual Hajj seminar for international hajj pilgrims going through Med-View Travels Konsult held at the airline’s Corporate Headquarters in Lagos.
Giving a breakdown of the airlift, Bankole said over 6000 pilgrims were airlifted from Lagos zone comprising Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Edo and members of the Armed Forces while about 3000 were airlifted from Kaduna State.
He said the airlift fo pilgrims from the South-East would commence in earnest, saying the flights have been smooth because it has been ordained by God Almighty.
Bankole who explained that Med-View Travels Konsult has been known for Hajj operations without tears and stress said the airline had put in place different teams including the welfare, Medical, among others to render assistance to the pilgrims.
Bnkole, who recalled the stampede incidence of last year where many pilgrims lost their lives in the Holy land said the Saudi authorities had put in place arrangements to forestall a recurrence.
He said the Saudi authorities had learnt their lessons and realized their challenges which are security and logistics, adding they have fixed all the loopholes.
