Sabitu Abdulaziz Mohammed, deputy president of the northern region for the Association for Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHOUN), hailed the launch as a milestone for the aviation industry in Northern Nigeria. Speaking to BusinessDay during the inaugural flight’s arrival in Kano on Monday, Mohammed emphasized that flyadeal’s operations are a strategic initiative by AHOUN to address the high cost of air travel in the region. “The introduction of flyadeal will stimulate competition and help crash the exorbitant prices of flight tickets,” he said. “This is a remarkable achievement for the region, which has long faced challenges due to limited aircraft availability for passengers, especially those traveling to Saudi Arabia for religious purposes.”
The airline’s operations align with new Saudi Arabian regulations requiring Umrah pilgrims to travel in groups, stay in designated hotels, and use coordinated transport systems. flyadeal’s fortnightly flights, which will continue until Ramadan with plans to extend to Hajj operations, cater specifically to these requirements. “Our arrangement with flyadeal ensures that pilgrims travel in organized groups, enabling better control and coordination,” Mohammed explained. “This also helps reduce airfares by fostering competition and increasing flight availability.”
Mohammed further noted that AHOUN has been working with various airlines for five years to improve travel options for Nigerian pilgrims. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with flyadeal two years ago paved the way for the airline’s entry into Nigeria. Beyond serving pilgrims, AHOUN aims to position flyadeal as a general sales agent for other destinations, including routes in Europe, where the airline also operates.
The launch of flyadeal’s operations has been warmly received by local authorities. Shehu Wada Sagagi, Kano State Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Industry, described the development as a boost for the state’s aviation sector. “As a government, we are committed to encouraging competition and discouraging monopolies,” Sagagi told BusinessDay on the sidelines of the inaugural flight. “flyadeal’s decision to make Kano one of its global destinations is a welcome move that will provide air passengers with better value for money.”
Sagagi highlighted the positive feedback from passengers on the maiden flight, who praised the professionalism of the crew and the smooth travel experience. Representing Kano State Governor, Engineer Abba Kabiru Yusuf, at the event, Sagagi assured flyadeal’s management of the state’s full support. “We are eager to see more airlines, both local and international, operate from Kano. This is a win-win situation for the airline, the state government, and the business community that facilitated this partnership,” he said.
flyadeal’s entry into Nigeria is expected to have a transformative impact on the aviation industry, particularly in Northern Nigeria, where access to affordable and reliable air travel has been a longstanding challenge. With its fortnightly flights and plans for sustained operations, the airline is set to play a pivotal role in making travel more accessible for Nigerian pilgrims and other passengers, while fostering greater competition in the market.