Flynas carries 50.2% of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2026

Flynas has airlifted 50.25 per cent of its allocated Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia within one week for the 2026 Hajj, according to a statement signed by Mr. Mahmood Muhammad Abande of the Media Office of the airline.

The Saudi‑designated Nigerian Hajj air carrier said it flew all the pilgrims directly to Madinah, Islam’s second‑holiest city, ahead of the annual pilgrimage.

Flynas operated the second flight from Nigeria on 4 May 2026, transporting 418 pilgrims from Kebbi State from Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi to Madinah.

The statement noted that Flynas had so far moved 6,149 intending pilgrims in 14 flights from Birnin Kebbi, Abuja, Lagos and Minna, Niger State, to the holy land.

The breakdown shows that 2,988 Kebbi State pilgrims, 2,379 from Ogun State, 424 from Nasarawa State, 345 from Niger State and 13 NAHCON officials have been airlifted.

Alhaji Umar Kaila, Managing Director/CEO of First Planet Travels Limited and General Sales Agent for Flynas in Nigeria, said the airline had deployed six aircraft for the 2026 operation in Nigeria.

He explained that the airline has lined up six wide‑body Airbus A330 aircraft for the Hajj, with four aircraft offering 430 seats each and the remaining two providing 345 seats each.

“The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has allocated 12,210 intending pilgrims to Flynas for this year’s pilgrimage. The airline will airlift pilgrims from Kebbi, Lagos, Osun, Kaduna, Niger, Ogun and Nasarawa states,” Kaila said.

Kaila added that the airline has already organized refresher courses for its more than 100 local Nigerian staff members ahead of the operation.

He assured intending pilgrims of a seamless outbound operation, stating that Flynas has taken all necessary measures to ensure the comfort, safety and convenience of Nigerian pilgrims.

Flynas has been present in Nigeria since 2014 under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.

The airline operates a fleet of more than 80 aircraft, conducting over 1,500 weekly flights across 139 routes to more than 70 domestic and international destinations in 30 countries.