2026 Hajj: Hamdalillahi Travels Records Progress in Pilgrim Airlift Operations
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
Operations under the 2026 Hajj exercise have continued to advance steadily as private tour operators intensify the airlift of Nigerian pilgrims to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Hamdalillahi Travels Limited has reported measurable progress in its ongoing pilgrim deployment, with staggered flights successfully conveying registered pilgrims across multiple entry schedules.
According to operational data from the company, a total of 15 pilgrims are currently in Saudi Arabia following completed airlift phases conducted on 12 and 14 May 2026. Specifically, four pilgrims were transported on 12 May, while 11 others were airlifted on 14 May under coordinated flight arrangements.
The company further disclosed that an additional 27 pilgrims are scheduled to arrive on 15 May 2026, reflecting sustained momentum in its deployment timeline as the 2026 Hajj airlift operation progresses.
According to the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director of the company, Bemekun Rasheed Adekunle, the logistics exercise is being executed in collaboration with aviation partner Dala Air Services.
He told Hajj Gazette that the collaboration has continued to support structured flight operations and passenger handling processes across designated routes.
Adekunle, who also serves as National Secretary of the Hajj and Umrah Tour Operators Association of Nigeria (HUTOAN), noted that the phased airlift model is designed to enhance coordination, ensure compliance with Saudi entry requirements, and maintain orderly processing of pilgrims ahead of the peak Hajj activities.
With additional batches expected in the coming days, operators say the deployment tempo is likely to be sustained as Nigeria’s private Hajj logistics framework continues to scale up.
