Nigeria’s 50,000 Hajj pilgrims for 2026 are being airlifted to Jeddah and Madinah on four designated carriers — flynas, Max Air, Air Peace, and UMZA Air. Hajj 2026 (1447 AH) is expected between May 25 and 30. Below is what you need to know about the airlift schedule, airlines, fares, and departure logistics.
Hajj 2026 dates and flight window
Hajj 2026 (1447 AH) is expected to begin on Monday, May 25, with the Day of Arafah on Tuesday, May 26, and Eid al-Adha on Wednesday, May 27. Final dates depend on the official moon sighting by Saudi authorities.
GACA flight operation timeframe
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has set the following window for Hajj 2026 flight operations:
- Outbound flights (arrivals to Saudi Arabia): April 18 to May 21, 2026
- Return flights (departures from Saudi Arabia): May 30 to June 30, 2026
During the first phase (April 18 – May 4), outbound flights operate primarily to Madinah, allowing pilgrims to visit Masjid al-Nabawi first. From May 5 onward, flights shift to Jeddah as the core Hajj rituals approach.
Nigeria’s airlift schedule
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) launched the 2026 airlift on May 3, with simultaneous departures from multiple airports under a zonal arrangement. As of May 9, NAHCON reported 15,495 pilgrims airlifted in 37 flights.
Pilgrims are transported zone by zone — once airlift operations conclude from one zone and move to the next, carriers do not return. Return flights will run from May 30 to June 30.
Airlines operating Hajj flights from Nigeria
NAHCON has approved four carriers for the 2026 Hajj airlift: flynas, Max Air, Air Peace, and UMZA Air. Each airline operates from designated zones and airports across the country.
flynas
flynas, Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier, has been allocated 12,210 pilgrims and is the largest carrier for the Nigerian Hajj operation. The airline has deployed six wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft — four with 430 seats and two with 345 seats.
flynas operates from Abuja, Lagos, Birnin Kebbi, and Minna, airlifting pilgrims from Kebbi, Ogun, Osun, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa, and Lagos states. All flynas flights go directly to Madinah.
Max Air
Max Air, a Nigerian carrier with long-standing Hajj experience, operates from Abuja, Kano, and Gombe. Max Air handles a significant share of northern state pilgrims, airlifting passengers to both Jeddah and Madinah.
The airline is airlifting 3,620 pilgrims from Kano alone, with operations commencing on May 15.
Air Peace
Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest private airline, operates Hajj flights primarily from Lagos. On the inaugural day (May 3), Air Peace airlifted Oyo State pilgrims from Lagos to Saudi Arabia.
UMZA Air
UMZA Air operates Hajj flights from Abuja and other northern departure points, handling pilgrims from states in the Ilorin and Maiduguri departure zones.
Departure airports and zonal arrangement
NAHCON operates Hajj flights from five designated departure centers across Nigeria. Each center covers specific states, and pilgrims must depart from their assigned zone.
| Departure Center | Airports | States Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Kano | Kano, Dutse, Katsina, Sokoto, Birnin Kebbi, Kaduna | Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna |
| Maiduguri | Maiduguri, Yola, Bauchi, Gombe | Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, Taraba |
| Ilorin | Ilorin, Minna, Abuja | Kwara, Niger, FCT, and surrounding states |
| Lagos | Lagos (Murtala Muhammed International) | Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, and southwest states |
| Port Harcourt | Port Harcourt, Enugu | Rivers, Enugu, and southeast states |
Pilgrims travel in groups of 45 under an assigned leader and must stay together throughout the journey — from departure to Makkah, Madinah, and the holy sites, through to the return flight.
Hajj fares from Nigeria
NAHCON has set the 2026 Hajj fares by zone, with costs varying based on the pilgrim’s departure point. All fares were reduced from the initial announcement following a presidential directive.
| Zone | States | 2026 Fare (NGN) |
|---|---|---|
| Maiduguri/Yola | Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba | ₦7,579,021 |
| Northern | Other northern states | ₦7,696,770 |
| Southern | All southern states | ₦7,991,142 |
These fares cover the round-trip flight, accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, ground transportation, feeding, and other logistics. Some state governments provide additional subsidies — for example, Kano approved over ₦265 million in pilgrim welfare packages for 2026.
How to register for Hajj from Nigeria
Nigerian pilgrims cannot book a Hajj flight independently. Registration must go through the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board or Agency in your state of residence, and slots are allocated through NAHCON.
Registration process
- Register with your State Pilgrims Welfare Board and complete the online pilgrim registration on the NAHCON portal.
- Pay the full Hajj fare for your zone to your state board. For 2026, NAHCON adopted a first-come, first-served system — states that remit payments earliest secure slots for their pilgrims.
- Once confirmed, your state board handles the Hajj visa, flight ticket, boarding card, accommodation, and ground logistics.
Key rules for 2026
NAHCON has introduced 15 new operational directives for 2026. Pilgrims must be at the departure airport on their scheduled date — anyone absent will be classified as a no-show and may bear the cost of the unused seat. Flight tickets and the new Saudi boarding card must be issued to every pilgrim before departure.
Health requirements and travel tips
Saudi Arabia’s Hajj health guidelines require all pilgrims to complete mandatory vaccinations before departure. The meningococcal ACYW vaccine must be administered at least 10 days before arrival. Since Nigeria is listed as a country with active poliovirus circulation, pilgrims must also carry a valid polio vaccination certificate. For the full list of required and recommended vaccines, see our dedicated Hajj vaccine requirements guide.
Practical tips for Nigerian pilgrims
- Ensure your international passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel date.
- Download the Nusuk app — it is mandatory for Grand Mosque entry and digital permit management.
- Pack light but include essentials: hand sanitizer, masks, sunscreen, pain medication, and comfortable walking shoes. Temperatures in Makkah can exceed 40°C during Hajj season.
- Keep copies of your national ID, vaccination certificate, medical reports, and emergency contacts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book a Hajj flight from Nigeria without going through NAHCON?
No. Nigerian pilgrims must register through their State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and be allocated a slot by NAHCON. You cannot independently book a flight and perform Hajj — a valid Hajj permit and visa obtained through the official channel are required to enter Makkah during Hajj season.
Which airlines fly Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2026?
Four carriers have been approved: flynas (Saudi Arabia), Max Air (Nigeria), Air Peace (Nigeria), and UMZA Air (Nigeria). flynas handles the largest allocation with 12,210 pilgrims, operating six Airbus A330 aircraft on the route.
How much does Hajj cost from Nigeria in 2026?
The all-inclusive Hajj fare ranges from ₦7,579,021 (Maiduguri/Yola zone) to ₦7,991,142 (Southern zone). This covers flights, accommodation, meals, and ground transportation. Some state governments provide additional subsidies to reduce the cost for their pilgrims.
What happens if I miss my scheduled Hajj flight?
Under NAHCON’s 2026 rules, any pilgrim who misses their scheduled departure will be classified as a no-show and may bear the full cost of the unused seat. Airlift operations are conducted zone by zone, and once a carrier moves to the next zone, it will not return to the previous one.
Sources
- NAHCON — Reviewed 2026 Hajj Fare and Slots Allocation
- NAHCON — Designated Hajj Departure Centers
- The Guardian Nigeria — NAHCON Issues 15 New Operational Directives for 2026 Hajj
- THISDAY — Hajj 2026: Flynas Transports 50.2% of Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia
- Daily Trust via AllAfrica — Over 6,000 Nigerian Pilgrims Airlifted in 14 Flights
- The Guardian Nigeria — Kano Begins Pilgrims Airlift 14th May
- Nusuk — Hajj Health Guidelines
- GACA — General Authority of Civil Aviation, Saudi Arabia
- Premium Times — Nigeria’s Inaugural Hajj Flight Set for 3rd May
- Muslim News Nigeria — NAHCON Airlifts 15,495 Pilgrims in 7 Days
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
