Hajj Flakes – 27th Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH
By Abdullahi Yusuf
1. 17,347 Nigerian pilgrims have been successfully airlifted back from Saudi Arabia as the return operation enters its tenth day.
2. NAHCON says the return airlift is progressing steadily in line with the flight slots allocated to the four designated airlines handling the operation.
3. Nine states have successfully concluded the return journey of their pilgrims, namely Nasarawa, Gombe, Kogi, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Jigawa, Kwara and Plateau States.
4. Lagos, Kebbi and the Federal Capital Territory have each completed between 65 and 80 percent of their return airlift operations.
5. NAHCON says several states are yet to commence return flights due to its first-in-first-out policy, which follows the order in which pilgrims originally arrived in Saudi Arabia.
6. The Commission has directed all designated airlines to complete the return operation within the agreed 19-day schedule and warned that contingency measures will be activated if necessary.
7. NAHCON Chairman, Ambassador Ismail Abba Yusuf, has assured pilgrims and their families that every Nigerian pilgrim will return home before the Saudi departure deadline of 30 June 2026.
8. The Zamfara State Government has formally commended NAHCON for its effective service delivery during the 2026 Hajj exercise.
9. The Zamfara Amirul Hajj Committee particularly praised the Commission’s prompt intervention on pilgrims’ feeding and accommodation challenges in Madinah and Mina.
10. The committee also applauded NAHCON’s leadership and staff for their commitment to pilgrims’ welfare and the successful conduct of the 2026 Hajj operations.
Didi you know/ fun fact
11. Airlines operating Hajj flights enforce strict baggage limits because every additional kilogram affects an aircraft’s weight, balance, and fuel calculations.
12. Excess luggage carried by pilgrims is not merely an airline policy issue, it is also an international aviation safety requirement.
13. Every Hajj season, some pilgrims lose personal belongings at airports after exceeding approved baggage allowances and being forced to leave items behind.
14. Airport officials may remove excess luggage before departure to ensure that aircraft operate within certified safety limits.
15. Some Hajj missions conduct special orientation sessions teaching pilgrims about baggage regulations before they travel to Saudi Arabia.
16. Many pilgrims return home with more luggage than they arrived with because of gifts, Zamzam water, dates, prayer items, and personal purchases made during Hajj.
17. The return phase of Hajj is one of the busiest seasonal airlift operations in the Muslim world, requiring careful coordination of passengers and cargo.
18. A single overloaded suitcase multiplied by hundreds of passengers can significantly affect an aircraft’s total payload calculations.
19. Aviation experts calculate the weight distribution of passengers, luggage, cargo, and fuel before every Hajj flight to ensure safe takeoff and landing.
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