Hajj 2025: NAHCON shifts final return date for Nigerian pilgrims to July 2

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says the return airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia will now end on July 2.

A statement issued by Fatima Usara, NAHCON’s spokesperson and assistant director, said the June 28 return deadline was unachievable due to unforeseen operational challenges.

Usara also gave a breakdown of the outstanding passengers and the aircraft assigned to bring them back.

“Nigeria’s carriers have, since 22nd June, been allocated up to seven flights per day at the ratio of 2-2-2-1,” the statement reads.

“The general pace of operations had been slower than anticipated due to post-Hajj airspace congestion and flight cancellations for various reasons.

“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.

“Max Air still has 6,019 pilgrims to move with two wide-body aircraft, each carrying 560 passengers, allowing for a daily capacity of 1,120.

“UMZA Aviation Services has 4,850 pilgrims left and is using two aircraft — one with 484 seats and the other with 312, giving a total capacity of 796.

“FlyNas still has 2,480 passengers to airlift, and the airline can carry up to 819 daily.

“Air Peace has 1,635 pilgrims remaining with an aircraft that holds 315.”

NAHCON had on June 18 appealed to Nigerian pilgrims to remain calm amid the delays in their return from Saudi Arabia.

The commission blamed limited airport landing slots for the disruption in flight schedules.

“Please note that the fewer trips being experienced presently in the return airlift are due to the normal peak season air traffic in Saudi Arabia,” Usara said.

“During this period, all countries are trying to return their pilgrims at the same time, and this creates a heavy demand for airport slots.”

As of June 27, the commission said it had returned 28,046 pilgrims on 68 flights, based on updates from its command and control centre.

NAHCON said 41,668 Nigerian pilgrims travelled to Saudi Arabia for this year’s hajj.