The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has recorded significant progress in the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2...
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has recorded significant progress in the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj, transporting 19 percent of the total intending pilgrims within just three days of commencement.
This achievement marks a sharp improvement from the 9 percent airlifted in the same timeframe during the 2024 Hajj operations, signaling enhanced planning and execution.
In a press release signed by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director of Information and Publication, NAHCON stated, “The Commission has successfully airlifted 19% of the total intending pilgrims. This marks a notable improvement from the 9% airlifted within the same period in 2024.”
Air Peace completed its operations for Kogi State, transporting 559 of the scheduled 564 pilgrims. Max Air also finalized the airlift of Oyo State pilgrims, successfully conveying 1,083 to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The statement further noted that Imo and Abia States have completed their inaugural flights, with only a few “no-show” pilgrims. These absentees, it assured, “will be accommodated in the mop-up flights later in the exercise.”
Meanwhile, UMZA Air is finalizing its operations for Nasarawa State, which has 944 pilgrims. The final flight is already on the ground, ready for departure.
Looking ahead, NAHCON outlined the upcoming schedule for other states: “UMZA Air is scheduled to begin the airlift of Kaduna State pilgrims on 14th May and will operate back-to-back flights. FlyNas will commence the airlift of Sokoto pilgrims by 13th May and, barring any changes, will begin operations for Abuja pilgrims on 16th May. Air Peace is slated to begin the transportation of Borno pilgrims on 18th May.”
NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, lauded the performance of the airlines and collaborating agencies. “The cooperation of the State Pilgrims’ Boards, the airlines, and other stakeholders has been commendable and instrumental to the smooth and timely movement of pilgrims,” he said.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to a successful and efficient Hajj exercise for all Nigerian pilgrims.
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