With the 2025 Hajj operations taking full swing across the country, a total of 9,691 pilgrims have so far departed Nigeria for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

An update from the Command and Control Centre of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) on Monday night indicated that 24 flights had been deployed.

NAHCON said the progress attained in the ongoing airlift of Nigerian pilgrims is at 19 per cent so far.

A statement issued by Fatima Usara, Assistant Director, Information and Publication, on behalf of the NAHCON Chairman, said the feat achieved in three days was a notable improvement from the 9% airlifted within the same period in 2024.

Giving an account of the operations since the kickoff, the statement said Air Peace has concluded the airlift of Kogi State pilgrims, having airlifted 559 out of the 564 pilgrims on schedule.

Similarly, it was noted that Max Air has completed the airlift of Oyo State pilgrims with a total of 1,083 pilgrims successfully conveyed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

It added that Imo and Abia States have also completed their operations, except a few “no-show” pilgrims during the inaugural flight that will be accommodated in the mop-up flights later in the exercise.

“For Nasarawa State with 944 pilgrims, UMZA Air is concluding its operations currently with the final flight already on the ground, preparing for takeoff,” Usara said.

“Going forward, UMZA Air is scheduled to begin the airlift of Kaduna State pilgrims on 14th May and will operate back-to-back flights.

“FlyNas will commence the airlift of Sokoto pilgrims by 13th May and, barring any changes, will begin operations for Abuja pilgrims on 16th May. Air Peace is slated to begin the transportation of Borno pilgrims on 18th May.”

NAHCON Chairman, Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, commended the performance of the airlines, the State Pilgrims’ Boards, and other stakeholders for their cooperation that facilitated the smooth and timely movement of pilgrims.