{
  "id": 8040537,
  "title": "FG reviews 1978 air deal to secure more Hajj slots for Nigerian airlines",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/fg-reviews-1978-air-deal-to-secure-more-hajj-slots-for-nigerian",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T14:50:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/fg-reviews-1978-air-deal-to-secure-more-hajj-slots-for-nigerian-airlines/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Federal Government of Nigeria is reviewing the 1978 Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with Saudi Arabia to secure more airlift slots for Nigerian airlines during Hajj operations. This move was announced by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during a meeting with stakeholders convened by Vice President Kashim Shettima. The meeting aimed to discuss ways of negotiating a larger quota of pilgrims to be airlifted by Nigerian flag carriers to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj, while ensuring that Nigerian pilgrims are treated fairly and with respect. A joint technical team has been tasked with reviewing the 1978 BASA and a 2015 memorandum of understanding between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia to diplomatically engage with Saudi authorities on this matter.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "FG reviews 1978 air deal to secure more Hajj slots for Nigerian airlines",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/fg-reviews-1978-air-deal-to-secure-more-hajj-slots-for-nigerian-8044004",
        "published": "2026-09-17T15:10:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "FG reviews 1978 Nigeria-Saudi air service agreement to secure more Hajj slots",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/fg-reviews-1978-nigeria-saudi-air-service-agreement-to-secure-more",
        "published": "2026-09-17T15:22:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}