The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has successfully airlifted a total of 1,158 intending pilgrims from Kaduna State to Medina, Saudi Arabia, in three consecutive flights for the 2026 Hajj exercise.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday, May 17, 2026, by the Public Relations Officer of the Agency, Malam Ibrahim Datti Makarfi.
According to the statement, the inaugural flight departed Kaduna on May 14, 2026, conveying 426 pilgrims to Medina. The second flight followed on May 15 with 389 pilgrims, while the third flight departed on May 16 carrying 343 pilgrims.
The Agency confirmed that all three flights landed safely in Medina, marking another significant milestone in the ongoing airlift operation for Kaduna State pilgrims participating in this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, pilgrims scheduled for the fourth flight have already arrived at the Hassan Usman Katsina International Airport awaiting departure later today.
Similarly, intending pilgrims billed for the fifth flight have commenced reporting to the Transit Camp located in Mando, Kaduna, from 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, ahead of their scheduled departure.
The statement further noted that the pilgrims are being transported by Flynas, the designated carrier handling Kaduna State pilgrims for the 2026 Hajj operations.
The Agency commended the patience, cooperation and orderly conduct of the pilgrims and other stakeholders throughout the exercise, assuring that all necessary measures are being put in place to guarantee a seamless and successful transportation process for all intending pilgrims from the state.
The 2026 Hajj airlift exercise is expected to continue in phases until all registered pilgrims from Kaduna State are successfully conveyed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the annual Islamic pilgrimage.