The much-awaited inaugural airlift of Kano State pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Hajj exercise has been rescheduled from the initial flight timetable of Max Air.

Following the adjustment in the flight schedule, the airlift of 3,620 registered pilgrims and officials from Kano will now commence on Friday, May 15, 2026, instead of Thursday, May 14, 2026.

According to the revised schedule obtained by The Guardian, the airline will operate seven flights to airlift the entire contingents from the state within four days, beginning from Friday through Monday.

In the new arrangement, the inaugural flight is expected to depart Kano on Friday with 560 passengers aboard a B744 aircraft bound for Medina, Saudi Arabia.

The second and third flights are scheduled for Saturday, while a single flight will depart on Sunday. The carrier plans to conclude the Kano operation on Monday with three flights conveying the remaining intending pilgrims to the Holy Land.

Although the airline is yet to issue an official statement on the development, The Guardian gathered that the delay may not be unconnected with operational hiccups.

Meanwhile, the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has informed pilgrims initially scheduled for the first flight to adjust their preparations ahead of Friday’s departure.

A statement issued by the board’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Dederi, said the affected pilgrims, drawn from Gwale, Dala, Fagge and Ungogo local government areas, are to report back to the Hajj camp on Thursday for final preparations before moving to Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport for airlift.

According to Dederi, “Consequently, all pilgrims from the above-mentioned local government areas who were originally scheduled to travel on May 14, 2026, are hereby advised that their departure has been rescheduled to May 15, 2026.

“Max Air regrets any inconvenience this change may have caused and appreciates the understanding and cooperation of all intending pilgrims. The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board assures all pilgrims that adequate arrangements are being made to ensure a smooth and successful airlift operation,” Dederi said.

The Director-General of the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Matawalle, had earlier cautioned against possible flight delays during the peak of the operation and urged the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to ensure that air carriers adhere strictly to flight schedules.

Matawalle made the appeal while receiving a delegation from NAHCON led by the commission’s North-West Commissioner, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Usman, during an official visit to Kano. He stressed the importance of timely airlift operations to avoid inconvenience and ensure a smooth Hajj exercise.

“We have finalized all arrangements for our intending pilgrims and expect that there will be no unnecessary delays from air carriers when the airlifting begins,” Matawalle said.

Nine days after the commencement of the nationwide airlift operation, Kano State with the highest contingent of 3,620 pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj exercise remains among the least departing states.

So far, a total of 21,880 intending pilgrims have departed Nigeria for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of the 50,000 pilgrims, through 53 flight operations conducted by designated carriers, including Saudi-based Flynas, Air Peace, Umza and Max Air.