Soliu Oyesiji.
Flynas Airline has conducted its first on-site assessment of Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, as preparations intensify for the 2026 Hajj operations in Niger State.
The inspection followed a strategic meeting between the management of the Niger State Pilgrims’ Welfare Board and a Flynas delegation led by the Group Support Manager, Ground Operations, Mr Ashraf Kherson Alobaidi, on Thursday.
Flynas has been designated to airlift pilgrims from Niger State for the 2026 Hajj exercise, with discussions at the meeting focusing on operational logistics and strategies to ensure a smooth and hitch-free airlift.
After the interface, the Board’s management escorted the airline delegation to the Minna airport for an assessment of critical facilities.
The Flynas team was received by the Airport Manager, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Muhammad Shehu Usman, who conducted them round key facilities, including the terminal, runway and fuel dump.
Alobaidi expressed satisfaction with the airport’s infrastructure and affirmed the airline’s confidence in its readiness to support efficient pilgrims’ airlift.
“We are satisfied with the facilities we have seen, and we are confident that the airport is capable of supporting smooth Hajj operations,” he said.
Officials of the Niger State Pilgrims’ Welfare Board and FAAN reaffirmed their commitment to addressing any gaps identified during the assessment to achieve full operational compliance ahead of the 2026 Hajj operations.
The Public Relations Officer of the Board, Jibrin Usman Kodo, said the inspection marked a key step in early preparations to ensure seamless Hajj operations in the state.
