N65m fine slammed on Virgin stands -PCH
From Musa A. Tijjani, in Jeddah

As the controversy over the failure of Virgin Nigeria to airlift pilgrims back home rages, the Presidential Committee on Hajj (PCH), has insisted that the airline must pay the N65million fine banged on it.
The fine was slammed on the company following its breach of contractual agreement for the airlifting of home-bound pilgims.
Speaking to newsmen in Jeddah, chairman of Aviation Sub-Committee of the PCH, Alhaji Liad Tella, said: “The airline must pay the fine as the clause in the agreement is self-explanatory and therefore we won’t relent until we see justice is done.”
The airline had last Monday in Lagos disputed the fine, saying officials at the Jeddah Airport denied them landing rights until January 9, about four days after the allocation of slots to them by the Saudi aviation authorities.
But Tella added: “When we’ve expected they’ll position their aircraft on the 5th of January, they failed until the 9th. And, instead of positioning two aircrafts, they positioned only one, a situation which delayed the departure date for most of our pilgrims. As at now, (when he spoke to newsmen) they are yet to position the second aircraft for operation, so what are they contesting?”
On allegations against the Saudi authorities, Tella has this to say: “They should not give half-truths, we’ve got evidence that they applied for one-legged slot instead of two,” pointing out, however, that, ‘’the measure was not meant to penalise or witch-hunt the ailrine but because they did not respect the purpose of our contract with them which is performance.”
On possible refusal of the airline to pay the fine, Tella said: “All options are open to us. When we return to Nigeria, we’ll ensure they pay the money. But if they choose to go to court, we’ll be ready for them.”
Meanwhile, a total of 32, 227 pilgrims have been airlifted back to Nigeria as at the time of filing this report.