Thousands of Nigerian intending pilgrims are stranded and have been sleeping at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos for days now.
The stranded pilgrims, who spent about four days at the airport, are traveling to Saudi Arabia through the private tour operators, according to a report by Daily Trust on Saturday.
The report said some of the tour operators had booked Arik Air, one of the air carriers approved by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), for tour operators.
The pilgrims have been sleeping in the mosques and other open places around the international airport.
The departure areas have been overcrowded, the report said.
Arik will airlift tour operators pilgrims from Lagos, Kano and Abuja zones.
Saudi authorities have said the Jeddah airport will close on June 22 for pilgrims. But the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has said all Nigerian pilgrims will be airlifted to the holy land before June 20.
