NAHCON successfully transported 10,675 Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage
FlyNas airlifted 4,665 pilgrims, followed by Max Air with 4,479, and Air Peace with 1,531 pilgrims, as disclosed by NAHCON
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced the successful transportation of 10,675 Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.
In a statement by NAHCON’s Assistant Director for Public Affairs, Fatima Sanda Usara, it was disclosed that FlyNas airlifted 4,665 pilgrims, followed by Max Air with 4,479 and Air Peace with 1,531.
Usara further mentioned that there have been no flight cancellations except for a delay that affected the inaugural flight from Kwara, shifting from May 20th, 2024, to the early hours of May 21st.
She highlighted that Nasarawa State concluded the airlift of its pilgrims, totalling 1,794, making it the first state to complete the process for the 2024 Hajj season. Oyo and the Armed Forces are expected to conclude the conveyance of their pilgrims soon.
As inbound flights into Saudi Arabia continue into the second week, states such as Kaduna, Yobe, Kano, Adamawa, Borno, and Sokoto are set to commence the airlifting of their pilgrims. Additionally, Plateau State pilgrims are scheduled to depart today.
Usara advised pilgrims to remain calm, noting that NAHCON follows a First-in-First-Out (FIFO) policy for return flights from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria. She also mentioned the resolution of initial challenges in issuing Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), with each pilgrim now entitled to $500 cash as BTA, as approved by NAHCON in place of a credit card.
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