The National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) will conclude the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia today (Tuesday).
This was stated by the commission's spokesperson, Fatima Usara, Deputy Director, in a statement in Abuja.
He said the last contingent of Hajj 2024 pilgrims will depart from King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah for Nigeria, marking the conclusion of the exercise.
He said a total of 312 pilgrims from Kwara State would be airlifted to Ilorin on an Air Peace Airlines flight, marking the last leg of their hajj journey.
“This is the 119th return flight from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria,” Ms. Usara said.
He added: “During the first phase of the Hajj operation, NAHCON operated a total of 121 flights, which have now been reduced to 119 flights for the return journey. The reduction in flights was attributed to maximum seat utilisation during the return journeys. The return journey ends three days ahead of schedule as it was scheduled to end on 19 July 2024.
“The airlines chartered by the commission took 27 days to transport all the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia during the first phase of the Hajj journey, while the return phase now takes 25 days. By the 25th day of the outbound flight from Nigeria, a total of 47,171 pilgrims were transported, while 50,091 were able to return to Nigeria within the same 25-day span in the second phase.
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“At a closing ceremony at the Hajj Terminal of Jeddah Airport, Commission Chairman Jalal Arabi expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of the return journey and pledged that the Commission would achieve even greater success next year based on the lessons learned this year.
“The president also assured that preparations for the 2025 Hajj have already begun.”
A total of 65,000 Nigerian pilgrims performed the sacred ritual in the Holy Land this year, with over 50,000 of them travelling under NAHCON, while another 13,000 opted for commercial flights.