Hajj 2025: Flynas airlifts 61% of Nigerian pilgrims back home

Flynas, a Saudi-designated Nigerian Hajj air carrier, has successfully transported over 61 percent of its allocated pilgrims back to Nigeria within the first week of the return phase of the 2025 Hajj exercise.

The update was provided by the Managing Director of First Planet Travels and General Sales Agent (GSA) for Flynas in Nigeria , Alhaji Umar Kaila. According to a statement signed by the airline’s information officer, Umma Salama Kyaure, Flynas has so far airlifted 8,051 pilgrims out of the 13,188 allotted to it this year.

Kaila noted that all pilgrims from Osun and Ogun States were airlifted safely by Saturday, while those from Lagos State were successfully returned home by Sunday.

The airline completed the 8,051 pilgrim return trips in 19 flights, operating out of four airports: Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Birnin Kebbi, Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Sokoto, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

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According to the airline’s data, 3,359 pilgrims were returned to Lagos, 1,709 to Sokoto, 2,554 to Birnin Kebbi, and 429 to Abuja.

Flynas is responsible for transporting pilgrims from Osun, Lagos, Ogun, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The second phase of the airlift began on Friday, June 13.

Kaila expressed gratitude to all key stakeholders, including the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) and various state pilgrims welfare boards, for their support and cooperation. He assured that the remaining airlift operations will continue smoothly and efficiently.