December 05, 2006

OGUN PILGRIMS BOARD COMMEND VIRGIN NIGERIA ON SMOOTH HAJJ TAKE OFF

LAGOS, DECEMBER 05, 2006: The Chairman, Ogun State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Ayodele Adebayo has commended Virgin Nigeria over the commencement of a timely scheduled hitch free airlift of pilgrims. Alhaji Adebayo who over the weekend led the Ogun State pilgrims to the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos on their way to Jeddah expressed satisfaction over the orderly manner in which Virgin Nigeria coordinated the inaugural flight to Jeddah.

Commending the airline on the successful inauguration of the hajj airlift, Alhaji Adebayo said: "Virgin Nigeria is indeed a worthy partner to trust with the airlift of pilgrims as the airline have proven its competence beyond doubt by keeping to the terms of understanding, binding the airline to the pilgrims, especially in the area of scheduled airlifting of the pilgrims".

"When Virgin Nigeria was chosen by the Ogun State Pilgrims Welfare Board, we knew we will not be disappointed and today, we are very happy with the timely airlift of the state's pilgrims without exposing them to unnecessary delays associated with previous pilgrims' airlift", Adebayo further stated.

Commenting on Virgin Nigeria's timely commencement of pilgrims airlift, the Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Yemi Osindero stated that Virgin Nigeria is out to make a positive impact by bringing convenience of travel to pilgrims booked on her service.

"Our major concern is to satisfy our discerning customers by offering convenience and quality value to all, especially our Muslim brothers as they embark on their holy pilgrimage. We are indeed very glad that our noble efforts have been recognised by the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board", Dr. Osindero said, stating that Virgin Nigeria will not rest on her oars but will further improve on the standards that the airline have pioneered in the Nigerian aviation sector.

It will be recalled that Virgin Nigeria which is participating in the hajj for the first time since it launched operations, had prior to the commencement of the hajj airlift, airlifted pilgrims to Jeddah for the Umrah in October 2006. During the Umrah operations, the airline distinguished itself by ensuring that pilgrims booked on her service were not left stranded in the holy land of Jeddah.

The Umrah passengers and their baggage were duly airlifted to and from Jeddah within the specified time frame of the operations.

Virgin Nigeria had in preparation for the hajj operations specially leased two modern Boeing 767-300 ERs from Europe to cater for the airlift of a projected 8,000 pilgrims to and from Jeddah to perform their holy obligation.

About Virgin Nigeria:
Virgin Nigeria is the registered, fully private sector flag carrier of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, owned 51% by Nigerian Institutional shareholders and 49% by Virgin Atlantic.

The airline operates the following

intercontinental services:
Lagos to London: Daily
Johannesburg: Three times a week
 

Regional services:
Accra: Daily
Douala: Two times a week
Dakar: Two times a week

Domestic services:
Lagos - Abuja: Six times daily
***Lagos - Port Harcourt: (Now diverted to Owerri two times daily)
***Abuja - Port Harcourt: (Now diverted to Owerri once daily)
Lagos - Kano: Five times a week
Abuja - Kano: Five times a week
Lagos - Sokoto: Two times a week from December 3rd 2006
Abuja - Calabar: three times a week from December 4th 2006

For reservations, call (01) 460 0505; (01) 271 1111; (09) 461 0505; (084) 460505

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