Ilorin — This year's muslim pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia started in Ilorin yesterday with a total number of 215 intending Muslim Pilgrims from Ondo State airlifted from Ilorin International Airport by Med-View Airline, the official carrier, at about 12.30noon.

The Head of Quality Assurance of Med-View Airline, Mr. Lookman Animashaun who monitored the exercise told Vanguard that another set of 215 will be airlifted at about 3 am today.

Animashaun said the total number of the intending pilgrims from Kwara, Ekiti and Ondo states that will perform the hajj is 3,110. He described the airlifting exercise as successful adding that they are expected to airlift all the pilgrims from Ilorin zone within 13 days, as Med-View Airline has concluded plans to bring in another airline that will airlift not fewer than 300 passengers at once.

Mr. Animashaun who assured that the Med-view Airline will stick to its schedule of 13 days to avoid additional days as he noted that the operation would be successful as everything has been put in place by the organisation.

He equally assured the Kwara State government that the airline is fully ready and committed to carry out it primary assignment as quality personnel have been recruited to deliver during and after the Hajj exercises.

The Amiru-Hajj who is also the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Mr. Issa Bio Ibrahim commended Med-View Airline for their operations.

The Speaker who was at the airport to monitor the first flight said a total of 2, 370 pilgrims from Kwara, 380 from Ekiti and 360 from Ondo States respectively will be airlifted from Ilorin Zone.