The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has directed all approved 2026 Hajj air carriers, working with State Pilgrims Welfare Boards, to issue flight tickets to intending pilgrims ahead of departure.
The directive was issued on Thursday at a meeting with state boards and airlines in Abuja. According to the Commission, the measure will eliminate wrong pre-arrival data transmission to Saudi authorities, which disrupts Nusuk card issuance and other logistics.
Under the new arrangement, every pilgrim’s ticket will be digitally linked to the Nusuk card, which will be placed in designated buses conveying pilgrims to hotels in Makkah and Madinah. After visa issuance, pilgrims will remain in the original travel groups under which their visas were processed. Each group of 45 will travel, lodge and return together.
NAHCON also stated that pre-arrival data must be uploaded on the Nusuk Masar platform 72 hours before flight departure. Any pilgrim who fails to board after being ticketed will be classified as a no-show and may bear the cost of the unutilised seat.
The Commission noted that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced an additional boarding card containing travel, accommodation and group details, which must be issued before take-off.
In a statement signed by Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, Fatima Sanda Usara, the Commission tasked state boards to hasten outstanding remittances to avoid forfeiture of camps and accommodation slots.
NAHCON further stressed full enforcement of Saudi Arabia’s medical eligibility rules, warning that any pilgrim found with disqualifying conditions will be stopped from travelling and may bear deportation costs.
Air Peace, Fly Nas, Max Air and Umza Air have been listed as the 2026 Hajj carriers, though NAHCON noted that allocations may change subject to operational review.
