The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has confirmed that a total of 1,622 Nigerian pilgrims have been airlifted to Madinah, Saudi Arabia, as part of the 2025 Hajj operations.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the inaugural flight was officially flagged off by Vice President Kashim Shettima in Owerri, Imo State, on Friday.
According to data released by Shafii Mohammed, Principal Information Officer at NAHCON, four flights were conducted across Bauchi, Kebbi, Imo, and Lagos States by three designated Nigerian Hajj air carriers—MaxAir, Flynas, and Air Peace.
Mohammed provided specific details on the flights, stating: “On Friday, MaxAir flight VM3001 departed Bauchi to Madinah at 11:53hrs with 539 Bauchi pilgrims and six officials.
“Flynas flight XY8066 departed Kebbi to Madinah at 18:29hrs with 420 Kebbi pilgrims and one official.”
He also noted that the Hajj airlift commenced with Air Peace’s inaugural flight: “The inaugural flight began with Air Peace flight APK 7900 which departed Owerri to Madinah at 19:36hrs with 240 pilgrims and four officials.”
Additionally, Mohammed confirmed that another Flynas aircraft successfully departed Lagos later that evening. “Flynas flight XY8016 also departed Lagos to Madinah at 19:39hrs with 423 Osun pilgrims,” he said.
