The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has refuted reports that Flynas, the Saudi carrier handling the 2026 Hajj airlift, rejected the newly inaugurated Gateway International Airport in Iperu, Ogun State. In a statement released to the press on Friday, NAHCON Chairman Amb. Ismail Yusuf described the circulating claims as “false, misleading and entirely unfounded.”
The clarification follows media coverage of the temporary relocation of Ogun State pilgrims to Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Yusuf emphasized that the change was driven solely by operational timing and flight‑scheduling considerations, not by any deficiency or rejection of the Gateway facility by the airline.
“The decision resulted from a comprehensive review of flight logistics, turnaround timelines and the overall coordination of the 2026 Hajj airlift,” Yusuf said. “Flynas never declared the airport unsuitable or unsafe, contrary to insinuations in some media outlets.”
Hajj travel involves tightly coordinated schedules aligned with Saudi Arabia’s aviation windows, aircraft rotation plans and the movement of thousands of pilgrims across Nigerian states. Adjustments to departure points are routine in large‑scale international pilgrimages, Yusuf noted.
The NAHCON chairman urged pilgrims, their families and stakeholders to disregard speculative narratives that could cause panic or tarnish the reputation of the Gateway project. He affirmed that Gateway International Airport remains a fully functional and approved facility capable of supporting international operations.
Yusuf also assured affected pilgrims that all necessary arrangements are in place to ensure their safe and timely transportation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He praised the Ogun State Government for its cooperation throughout the process and called for calm and patience from pilgrims and their relatives.
NAHCON reiterated that the welfare, safety and successful participation of Nigerian pilgrims continue to be its top priority as the nation prepares for the upcoming Hajj season.
