.403 Katsina Pilgrims Depart Jeddah in Nigeria’s 69th Hajj Return Flight
By Abdulrazaq Auwal
The ongoing return airlift of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia recorded another milestone on Thursday as 403 pilgrims from Katsina State departed Jeddah aboard a MaxAir flight, marking Nigeria’s 69th return flight of the 2026 Hajj operation.
Official airlift records show that MaxAir flight NGL263 departed King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, at 7:38 a.m. on June 18, transporting the pilgrims back to Katsina State following the completion of the annual pilgrimage.
The flight forms part of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria’s (NAHCON) coordinated post-Hajj evacuation program designed to facilitate the safe and orderly return of pilgrims from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
With the departure of the Katsina-bound flight, the total number of Nigerian pilgrims airlifted home since the commencement of the return operation has risen to 27,474.
The four designated carriers handling this year’s return exercise have operated 69 flights and successfully airlifted 27,474 pilgrims back to Nigeria.
The participating airlines, MaxAir, Flynas, Umza Aviation Services, and Air Peace have continued to transport pilgrims from Jeddah and Madinah to various destinations across Nigeria as the operation progresses.
NAHCON and relevant aviation authorities have maintained close coordination with state pilgrims’ welfare boards and Saudi-based service providers to ensure smooth flight operations, adherence to schedules, and passenger safety throughout the exercise.
The return phase of the Hajj operation commenced shortly after the completion of the major pilgrimage rites and has witnessed the steady movement of pilgrims back to their respective states.
NAHCON and the participating airlines continue to coordinate the return of the remaining pilgrims from Saudi Arabia.
The annual Hajj airlift remains one of the largest coordinated transportation exercises undertaken by Nigerian authorities, involving tens of thousands of pilgrims and multiple flights across the country’s international airports.
