The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a shift in the date for the final return flight of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia, extending the conclusion of the 2025 Hajj return airlift to Tuesday, July 2, instead of the earlier projected June 28.
In a statement issued by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director of Information and Publication, NAHCON attributed the delay to airspace congestion and earlier flight cancellations. However, the pace of operations has improved since June 22, with Nigerian carriers now operating up to seven flights daily under a 2-2-2-1 rotation pattern.
Out of the 41,668 Nigerian pilgrims transported for the 2025 Hajj, over 27,316 have already returned, not including those who opted for regular commercial flights due to urgent personal reasons.
Breakdown of pilgrims still awaiting return shows Max Air has 6,019 passengers with a daily capacity of 1,120; UMZA Aviation Services is handling 4,850 pilgrims with two aircraft totaling 796 seats; FlyNas has 2,480 pilgrims left and can fly 819 daily; while Air Peace has 1,635 pilgrims with a 315-seat aircraft.
NAHCON reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring all remaining pilgrims are airlifted home as swiftly and safely as possible.
