2027 Hajj: FG approves three local, two Saudi airlines to airlift pilgrims

The Nigerian government has approved three local airlines and two Saudi Arabian airlines to airlift Nigerian pilgrims to participate in the 2027 Hajj exercise next May in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The approval was announced through a public notice issued on Thursday by the management of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

According to the notice, the five airlines — Air Peace, Max Air, Umza Aviation Services, as well as Saudi-based Flynas and Saudi Air — were selected following a rigorous screening and evaluation process conducted by the Hajj Commission’s Aviation Screening Committee.

The selection process, the notice added, was conducted in accordance with regulatory safety, operational capacity and financial guidelines.

The commission stated, “The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) wishes to inform the general public, State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, Agencies, Commissions, particularly intending pilgrims, that Government has approved the engagement of five air carriers for the 2027 Hajj exercise.

“The selection follows a rigorous screening and evaluation process conducted by the Aviation Screening Committee in accordance with regulatory safety, operational capacity and financial guidelines.

“The engagement is subject to the execution of an airlift agreement with NAHCON and fulfilment of Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) requirements for Hajj 2027.

“The approved carriers are: Air Peace Limited; Flynas; Max Air Limited; Saudi Air; UMZA Aviation Services Limited.”

NAHCON further stated that passenger allocation for each of the approved airlines and airlift schedules would subsequently be worked out with State Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and private tour operators.

It added that “all carriers are expected to operate in line with Hajj 2027 regulations, which include the issuance of tickets linked to the pilgrims’ Nusuk-Masar data; strict observance of all safety standards; baggage allowance (a single 32 kg bag and one 8 kg hand luggage), as stipulated by regulatory authorities, among others.”

NAHCON called on all stakeholders to cooperate with the approved carriers to ensure seamless, safe and comfortable airlift operations for all Nigerian pilgrims.

Apart from Saudi Air, the remaining four airlines were involved in airlifting Nigerian pilgrims for both the 2025 and 2026 Hajj exercises in the Kingdom.

The involvement of Flynas in the previous operations was in line with the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, which regulates air travel and cargo, with a major focus on the airlift of Hajj pilgrims. The agreement was signed in 2015.

Under the agreement, a 50/50 passenger-sharing formula for Hajj was agreed upon by both countries.

During a visit to Nigeria in February, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq Al Rabiah, at a meeting with then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and NAHCON officials, insisted that Saudi Arabia would enforce the 50/50 passenger-sharing formula contained in the BASA, starting with the 2027 Hajj operations.

If the Saudi authorities go ahead with enforcing the sharing formula for next year’s Hajj, Nigerian airlines are expected to transport 50 per cent of the total number of registered pilgrims each year, while their Saudi counterparts are expected to convey the remaining 50 per cent to and from the Holy Land.