460 pilgrims from Kwara State were this afternoon airlifted to Saudi Arabia for the 2017 hajj flagging off the commencement of the holy pilgrimage from that state.
The aircraft, a Boeing 747-400 which took off at 12:21 will airlift these pilgrims to Saudi Arabia while another aircraft, a Boeing 767 aircraft will arrive the Ilorin International Airport and airlift another batch of 220 passengers.
Kwara State plays rallying point for pilgrims from Ondo and Ekiti who are expected to be airlifted on a later date.
Speaking just before commencement of the airlift, Managing Director of Medview, Alhaji Muneer Bankole assured officials of the state that the airline would ensure a smooth hajj as well as return as is its character.
He however said that the airline would airlift its Kwara passengers in the next three or four days but will return on the 9th to airlift the Kwara state and Ondo state pilgrims
He called on officials of the state to partner and support the airline so that its pilgrims will continue to enjoy the very safest of flights in the most secure of environments.
“we intend to finish airlift in the next three to four days but we will be coming back on the 9th of August to airlift Ondo and Ekiti after those of Kwara.”