Flynas will airlift the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia on May 3, 2026.
This was announced by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in a statement signed by Fatima Sanda Usara on Tuesday.
The first flight will take off from the Gateway International Airport in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the commission said.
The Saudi –designated Nigerian Hajj air carrier, Flynas, said it had deployed six aircraft for the airlift of Nigerian intending pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of First Planet Travels Limited and General Sales Agent (GSA) for Flynas in Nigeria, Alhaji Umar Kaila, said the company has lined up six wide-body Airbus A330 for the Hajj operation. Four of the aircraft, Mr Kaila said, have 430 seating capacity each, and the remaining two planes have a seating capacity of 345 each.
This marks the first time the Ogun state pilgrims will depart from the state capital with the construction of the airport.
Other flights to take off the same day are Umza and Max Air from Abuja with Kogi and Nasarawa pilgrims, respectively.
Air Peace from Lagos with Oyo State pilgrims, while another Flynas flight will take off from Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
The statement said NAHCON staff, including ad hoc members of the National Medical Team, have departed in advance today to prepare for the arrival of Nigerian pilgrims.
The commission advises pilgrims to note that airlift by each carrier will be conducted one zone at a time. Once an airlift is concluded from one zone and moves to the next, the carrier will not return to that zone.
Pilgrims who miss their scheduled flight from that zone must bear the consequences of moving to the next available one.
Other fallouts include having to wait until they are re-grouped for the journey, the statement said.
“Secondly, know that pilgrims must travel strictly under their group of 45, whose Nusuk cards will be ready and awaiting their arrival in Saudi Arabia. Hence, every pilgrim is advised to confirm and familiarise themselves with group members before the journey.
“Similarly, pilgrims are advised to obtain the contact details of their group leaders and the State official (s) accompanying them on the flight, ” the statement said.
The NAHCON Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, assures Nigerian intending pilgrims that the commission has put all the necessary preparations in place to ensure a smooth and successful 2026 Hajj exercise.
