By Soliu Oyesiji
The first day of the 2026 Hajj airlift recorded a steady and coordinated start, with a total of 2,111 pilgrims transported across five flights. Operations were conducted mainly from Abuja and Kebbi, with additional departures from Ogun and Lagos, indicating a multi-location rollout despite the headline concentration on two primary hubs.
Abuja handled the highest traffic, accounting for two of the five flights and over 1,000 pilgrims, reinforcing its role as a central departure point.
The distribution of pilgrims shows a higher number of male pilgrims (1,242) compared to female pilgrims (869), while MaxAir operated the largest share of the airlift, handling two flights and the highest passenger volume. The inclusion of officials on the Ogun flight also highlights early deployment of support personnel.
Overall, the seamless sequencing of flights from late afternoon into the early hours of the next day suggests effective logistical planning by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), setting a stable pace for subsequent operations.
