The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has announced the imminent departure of 428 passengers on FlyNas airline to Saudi Arabia for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.
This announcement was made in a statement on the commission’s website, providing updates on the pilgrimage.
The advance team, consisting of medical personnel, media staff, accommodation officials, feeding and security committee members, as well as a reception team, has already arrived in Saudi Arabia.
They departed Nigeria on Sunday and arrived in Saudi Arabia early Monday, in preparation to receive the Nigerian pilgrims who will begin their journey from Nigeria tomorrow, May 15.
The first group of 428 Nigerian pilgrims from Kebbi State will depart for Saudi Arabia, boarding FlyNas from the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
The Assistant Director of Public Affairs at NAHCON, Fatima Sanda Usara, said the Vice President Kashim Shettima, diplomats, and members of the Hajj industry will witness the inaugural flight taking off from SABIA with the Kebbi State pilgrims.
The 2024 Hajj Airlift update also revealed that two other flights are scheduled to take off on Tuesday, May 15, carrying pilgrims from Nasarawa and the Federal Capital Territory from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Subsequently, two flights will depart each day, gradually increasing to five flights daily.
With approximately 65,047 Nigerian pilgrims from both public and private sectors expected to participate in the 2024 Hajj, the outbound movement to Saudi Arabia will continue until June 10, 2024.
“By 15th of May 2024, the outcome of preparations for the year’s Hajj season would manifest with the planned take-off of 428 passengers on FlyNas airline to Saudi Arabia.
“The inaugural flight is scheduled to take-off with Kebbi state pilgrims from the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport (SABIA) in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital. To witness the occasion are diplomats, members of the Hajj industry with the Vice President, His Excellency Sen. Kashim Shettima as Special Guest of Honour.
“An advance team of officials comprising medical personnel from the National Medical Team (NMT), media staff, accommodation officials, few feeding committee members, select members of the Central Security Committee members as well as the National Reception Team departed Nigeria on Sunday 12th to receive the pilgrims.
“The onward airlift to Saudi Arabia will last until 10th day of June or hopefully earlier. Pilgrims will travel in groups of 45 according to Saudi Arabia’s guidelines; missing out from the group could come with consequences as stated by the host country,” the statement read in part
