Scores of Nigerian pilgrims remain stranded in Saudi Arabia after completing the 2025 Hajj pilgrimage, as the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has admitted that the country was not given enough flight slots to evacuate its large number of pilgrims in good time.
In a press statement issued Wednesday night, signed by Fatima Sanda Usara, Assistant Director, Information and Publication, NAHCON, the agency explained that the slow pace of return flights was due to congestion in Saudi Arabia’s airspace and limited airport access allocated to Nigeria.
The statement said, “The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria wishes to reassure Nigerian pilgrims currently in Saudi Arabia awaiting their return journey to Nigeria that the Commission, along with State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, and the 2025 official air carriers are doing everything within their capacity to increase the speed of the return leg. The Commission has planned to return all pilgrims by 28th June 2025 and remains determined to do so.”
NAHCON directly attributed the delays to peak Hajj return traffic and Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation regulations.
The statement continued: “Please note that the fewer trips being experienced presently in the return airlift is due to the normal peak season air traffic in Saudi Arabia.
“During this period, all countries are trying to return their pilgrims at the same time, and this creates a heavy demand for airport slots. These slots are managed by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia, and currently, Nigeria has not been allocated as many slots as needed to move its large number of pilgrims quickly.”
The commission said it was working with relevant stakeholders and engaging with Saudi authorities to secure additional slots for Nigerian flights.
“In view of this, the three major stakeholders in the airlift operation have mapped out strategies to increase the number of slots to the country. It is hoped that active discussions with the Saudi authorities will facilitate an increase in the flight slots,” it said.
Currently, only one airline is operating on a limited basis.
“FlyNas is the only airline presently running two flights per day. NAHCON’s plan is to seek more convenient slots for UMZA Aviation, Air Peace and Max Air. With large-bodied aircraft, the pace of the return journey will increase significantly, and more flights will be scheduled daily,” it said.
The Commission pleaded for understanding from pilgrims and their families, assuring them that it was doing all it could to expedite their return.
“NAHCON appreciates the patience of the pilgrims and their officials and assure all concerned that the Commission and the State Boards are working round the clock to ensure a quicker return trip for everyone,” the statement concluded.
