The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has confirmed that 27,316 out of the 41,668 Nigerian pilgrims who participated in the 2025 Hajj have so far been transported back to the country.
This was disclosed in Abuja on Thursday by the commission’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Hajiya Fatima Usara, who noted that the return airlift will now conclude on 2 July, instead of the earlier date of 28 June.
“NAHCON wishes to inform the public, particularly 2025 Hajj pilgrims, their families and stakeholders, that the return leg Hajj airlift operations has improved significantly with carriers securing an increase in slot allocations,” she stated.
According to Usara, Nigerian carriers have been granted up to seven daily flight slots since 22 June, distributed as follows: two each for Max Air, FlyNas, UMZA Aviation Services, and one for Air Peace.
She, however, acknowledged that the pace of return operations had been slower than expected due to post-Hajj airspace congestion and flight cancellations.
“Despite the increased slots, it is unlikely that the return airlift will be completed by June 28 as earlier projected. Barring further disruptions, operations should conclude by Tuesday, July 2,” she said.
The NAHCON spokesperson added that the number of pilgrims already returned excludes many who opted for regular flights due to urgent personal needs at home.
She provided a breakdown of the remaining pilgrims yet to be airlifted: Max Air has 6,019 passengers, UMZA Aviation Services has 4,850, FlyNas has 2,480, and Air Peace has 1,635.
Usara reiterated the commission’s commitment to ensuring the safe and timely return of all pilgrims.
(NAN)