The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has recorded a major milestone in the ongoing 2025 Hajj operations, successfully airlifting 19% of Nigerian pilgrims within just three days of commencement, more than double the 9% achieved in the same period last year.
In a statement signed by the Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Sanda Usara, NAHCON noted that Air Peace had completed the airlift of Kogi State pilgrims, transporting 559 out of 564 scheduled. Max Air also concluded the airlift of 1,083 Oyo State pilgrims, while Imo and Abia States completed theirs, aside from a few absentees who will join mop-up flights later.
UMZA Air is finalizing the airlift of Nasarawa State pilgrims, with 944 scheduled to travel, and is set to begin transporting Kaduna pilgrims on May 14 in back-to-back operations. FlyNas is expected to start Sokoto pilgrim airlifts by May 13 and Abuja by May 16. Air Peace will commence Borno State flights on May 18.
NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, commended the airlines, State Pilgrims’ Boards, and stakeholders for their cooperation and efficiency, which he said have contributed to the early success of the exercise.
