The National Hajj Commission ( NAHCON), has called on all Hajj Carriers for 2026 Hajj airlifts to ensure that flight tickets for the Intending Pilgrims are issued ahead of departure .
The commission also emphasized effective collaboration between the approved airlines and States Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards for smooth oprerations.
This was part of the decisions made by NAHCON at the end of its meeting with the States Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards and 2026 Hajj Air carriers held on Thursday at the Commission’s headquarters, Abuja.
In a statement signed on behalf of the NAHCON Chairman by the Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, NAHCON, Fatima Sanda Usara , the Commission noted that every pilgrim is expected to be aware of his or her exact departure vis-a-vis date time and place of departure .
The decision according to the release is to drastically reduce incidents of incorrect pre- arrival data sent to Saudi Arabia which affects Nusuk card distribution and other logistics.
“Beginning with the 2026 Hajj, missing a flight will attract grave consequences. This is because each pilgrim’s ticket will be digitally linked to their Nusuk Card, which will be pre-positioned in their assigned buses in Saudi Arabia. These buses will convey them to their hotels. Hence, after visa issuance, a pilgrim cannot change groups again; pilgrims will thereafter maintain the group under which his or her visa was processed. And each group of 45 will travel together under a leader, be lodged together in same hotel in Makkah, Madinah and Masha’ir and return to Nigeria together after Hajj”.
“Additionally, NAHCON must upload pre arrival data on the Nusuk Masar platform 72 hours before departure of any aircraft conveying pilgrims. This data include group numbers, names of group members, accommodation details, building assigned, and bed-space number. Any pilgrim who fails to show up for the scheduled flight will be treated as a no-show and will bear the penalty, which may include paying for the un-utilized seat. Same goes for any defaulting party”.
“Similarly, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah this year introduced a boarding card to be issued to each pilgrim before departure. The card will contain in addition to the above information, other vital details such as names of airline, its capacity, name of state, name and number of pilgrims on board, departure airport, time and destination airport, arrival time and arrival airport”
NAHCON also reiterates that the Saudi Arabia’s new medical fitness requirement must be strictly enforced as there will be penalties.
