Flynas, a Saudi-recognised Nigerian hajj carrier, says it has returned over 60 percent of its assigned pilgrims for the 2025 hajj exercise.
Umar Kaila, managing director of First Planet Travels and general sales agent of Flynas in Nigeria, spoke while addressing journalists in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Umma Kyaure, the airline’s information officer, quoted Kaila as saying that Flynas had airlifted 8,051 pilgrims out of the 13,188 it was allocated.
“We have airlifted all the pilgrims from Osun and Ogun states safely back home on Saturday,” the statement reads.
Advertisement
“And we have also completed the airlift of Lagos state pilgrims back to Nigeria by Sunday.”
He said the return of the 8,051 pilgrims was completed through 19 separate flights.
Flynas began its return operations on Friday, June 13, covering pilgrims from Osun, Lagos, Ogun, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and the federal capital territory (FCT).
Advertisement
The airline is operating from four Nigerian airports: Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos; Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi; Sultan Abubakar III International Airport in Sokoto; and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
According to the statement, 3,359 pilgrims were flown into Lagos, 1,709 to Sokoto, 2,554 to Birnin Kebbi and 429 to Abuja.
Kaila extended appreciation to all stakeholders, including the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and various pilgrims boards and commissions, for their support.
He also gave assurances that the second phase of the return airlift would proceed just as seamlessly.
Advertisement
