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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Flynas Begins Airlift of Ogun, Kebbi Pilgrims to Nigeria

From ThisDay · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Flynas, a Saudi-designated Nigerian Hajj carrier, will begin airlifting pilgrims from Ogun and Kebbi states back to Nigeria on June 4, 2026.
  • The airline will use six A330 aircraft for the return flights, with the first flights carrying pilgrims from Jeddah to Abeokuta and Birnin Kebbi.
  • Flynas has previously transported 11,342 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia and delivered 13,832 bottles of Zamzam water.

The repatriation of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia is set to commence, with Flynas, the designated Hajj carrier, scheduled to begin airlifting pilgrims from Ogun and Kebbi states on June 4, 2026. The airline announced that six A330 wide-body Boeing aircraft have been deployed for the inbound flights.

the airline had concluded arrangements to conduct a seamless operation in line with international best practices.

— Alhaji Umar Kaila, Managing Director/CEO of First Planet Travels Limited and General Sales Agent (GSA) for Flynas in NigeriaConfirming the airline's readiness for the pilgrim repatriation.

The initial return flight will transport the first group of Ogun State pilgrims from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah to the newly established Gateway International Airport in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Concurrently, the second flight will carry the first batch of Kebbi State pilgrims from Jeddah to the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi.

Flynas plans to conduct two additional flights on June 5, continuing the transport of pilgrims from Jeddah to both Abeokuta and Birnin Kebbi. Alhaji Umar Kaila, Managing Director/CEO of First Planet Travels Limited and General Sales Agent for Flynas in Nigeria, confirmed that all arrangements for a seamless operation are complete, adhering to international best practices.

Flynas had transported 11,342 pilgrims and officials to the holy land in 30 flights in a record time of two weeks.

— Alhaji Umar KailaHighlighting the airline's efficiency during the outbound Hajj flights.

During the outbound journey, Flynas successfully transported 11,342 pilgrims and officials to Saudi Arabia in 30 flights within two weeks. The airline has also proactively delivered 13,832 units of five-liter Zamzam water bottles to Nigeria in anticipation of the pilgrims' return. The airline's operations will cover pilgrims from Kebbi, Lagos, Osun, Kaduna, Niger, Ogun, and Nasarawa States.

the airline had already delivered 13, 832 units of five-litre Zamzam water bottles to Nigeria ahead of the pilgrims’ return.

— Alhaji Umar KailaDetailing logistical preparations for the pilgrims' return.

In preparation for the return operations, Flynas Coordinator of Operations, Malam Ahmad Ruma, met with ground staff in Makkah to review procedures and logistics. Ruma emphasized the importance of maintaining the airline's professionalism and ethical standards during their deployment at the airport and pilgrim accommodations.

uphold the professionalism and ethics the airline is known for as they are deployed to the airport and pilgrims’ accommodations in Makkah for the management of pilgrims’ luggage.

— Malam Ahmad Ruma, Flynas Coordinator of OperationsInstructing ground staff on operational standards.
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Originally published by ThisDay. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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