The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, has so far conducted 88 return flights with 36,297 Pilgrims, out of 41,668 representing over 86 percent of total Pilgrims that have been successfully airlifted safely to Nigeria.
“Umza flight UY3540, which departed Jeddah to Kaduna at 01:46hrs with 476 Kaduna Pilgrims and 8 officials, made the total of pilgrims airlifted to 36,297 and
in 88 flights, according to the National Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Saleh Usman Abdullahi.
In a statement by the Assistant Director Information and Publications of the Commission, Fatima Sanda Usara, a copy of which was made available to The Punch on Monday, said Nigeria’s carriers have since 22nd June been allocated up to seven flights per day at the ratio of 2-2-2-1. The general pace of operations had been slower than anticipated due to post Hajj airspace congestion and flight cancellations for various reasons.
Prof. Abdullahi said that with the way the airlift is being undertaken, the Commission would soon complete the returns of all the remaining pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.
However, despite the increase in slots, the return airlift of pilgrims may not be concluded by June 28th as earlier projected. This may not be possible until Tuesday, 2nd July 2025- approximately six days away, barring any further unforeseen disruptions.
Earlier the Commission informed that the return leg Hajj airlift operations has improved significantly with carriers securing an increase in slot allocation
Meanwhile, one of the Pilgrims in Kano who returned from the Holy Land, Alhaji Abba Sani Musa, extends his heartfelt appreciation to NAHCON that this is the first time he has performed Hajj without any hitches or doubts on his scheduled returns.
“I most commend the leadership of the Hajj Commission for their one care in Saudi Arabia both on welfare, medical health, transportation and even our stayed in Medina that was exceptional”, he said.
Another Pilgrim interviewed, Alhaji Tijjani Nasamu, notes that with the way the National Hajj Commission was up and doing on Pilgrims this shows a great departure from the old habits where after Hajj usually Pilgrims were left to fend for themselves.
He said, “while in Saudi Arabia every there and than NAHCON officials were hovering over them to ensure that they have no any problems and when we were told on our scheduled flights exactly on the day we were airlifted, this is highly commendable”.
