By Soliu Oyesiji
Governor Dauda Lawal on Friday recorded a milestone in Zamfara State’s aviation history as the first Hajj flight departed from the newly constructed Gusau International Airport with 415 intending pilgrims onboard.
The inaugural Max Air flight, with registration NGL270, airlifted 288 male and 127 female pilgrims directly from Gusau to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
Speaking during the inaugural flight ceremony, Lawal described the development as a historic achievement and a fulfilment of his administration’s campaign promise.
“I am happy today that our pilgrims will be flying directly from Gusau International Airport to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this year’s pilgrimage,” the governor said.
He recalled that construction of the airport began on June 18, 2024, noting that many doubted the project would become a reality.
According to him, the airport would ease the burden on pilgrims who previously travelled to Sokoto or Kano before boarding flights to Saudi Arabia.
“In less than four hours, they will reach Saudi Arabia. Before, our pilgrims had to travel to Sokoto or Kano before they could fly for Hajj,” he said.
Lawal added that discussions had already commenced with airlines to begin commercial flight operations from the airport.
He urged the intending pilgrims to pray for Zamfara State and Nigeria during their stay in Saudi Arabia.
The statement was signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris.
